The Jewish Community Foundation (JCF)  has announced that agencies, synagogues and community organizations have until April 17, 2020 to apply for the second round of Nova grants.

“In promoting this program,” explains David Martz, Chair of the JCF’s Allocations Committee,  which oversees the Nova Grants.  “Our goal is to support the vulnerable, promote Jewish identity and culture and strengthen the institutional framework of Montreal’s Jewish community by encouraging community institutions to experiment and to test new or innovative approaches to meeting critical or emerging needs.”

“We are funding new initiatives that for the most part are not receiving funding from Federation,” adds Kathy Assayag, JCF’s Executive Director. “Our hope is that our support will serve as seed money for initiatives that can have a measurable impact on the vitality of our community.”

In the first round of Nova grants, JCF provided $400,000 in funding to 16 community organizations and supported 17 leading-edge programs. Recipients included Agence Ometz, BANAV, Centre Lifeline, Congregation Beth Tikvah, Montreal Open Shul, Montreal Shira Choir, Museum of Jewish Montreal, OSM, Segal Centre, Temple Emanu-El- Beth Sholom, The Donald Berman Bikur Cholim Ladies Association,  The Donald Berman Yaldei Developmental Centre,  The Jewish Learning Lab, The Jewish Russian Community Centre, The Mile End Chavurah, and Zera Café and Catering.

JCF Nova Grants, ranging from $25,000 to $50,000, are allocated on an annual basis for either one-time funding for a program which will be carried out within one year, or to be used over a period of up to three years, depending on the nature of the program. Applications are available online at https://jcfmontreal.org/novagrants/.

The JCF’s mission is to grow a strong, sustainable community that embodies the Jewish values of tzedakah, tikkun olam and dor I’dor, from one generation to the other. Its commitment is:

• To help individuals and families support the causes they care about and achieve their philanthropic goals;
• To find solutions that are tax-wise and create greater impact;
• To ensure Montreal and its organizations remain strong and vibrant by helping build and carefully steward financial resources.

For more information on JCF please consult https://jcfmontreal.org/