The Jewish Women’s Foundation of South Palm Beach County (JWF) will be accepting grant applications until December 31, 2010, for its 2011 annual grant cycle. Nonprofit 501c (3) organizations are welcome to apply for up to $20,000 to for local or overseas projects that address root causes of challenges faced by Jewish women and girls. JWF granted more than $60,000 for its selected 2010 projects and has allocated a total of nearly $250,000 over the past five years.

An initiative of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s Jewish Community Foundation, JWF directs its grants to both local and overseas programming that address genuine needs. JWF seeks projects with measurable results that expand Jewish women and girls’ opportunities, enhance their development and increase their empowerment. The Foundation will consider projects that focus on three areas: 1) Preventing Abuse; 2) Leveraging Education to improve knowledge & self esteem; 3) Promoting Health and Research that advocate for medical concerns of Jewish women and girls, with an emphasis on cancer.

Diverse in their ages and Jewish backgrounds, Trustees build JWF through their $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 tax-deductible contributions, payable over five years. They also steer JWF with equal votes in the grant-making process. JWF currently has 59 Trustees with more than $350,000 in assets and total commitments of $590,000.  

The Trustees have also unanimously approved a new initiative for women starting their careers or with young families. As Junior Trustees, they, too, will be able to fully participate and leverage their time and money for a common philanthropic purpose. Details will be available shortly.

Together, JWF’s hands-on philanthropists select and support programs that address their most passionate concerns in the South Palm Beach County community and around the world.

“JWF offers local Jewish women of all ages the unique opportunity to be hands-on woman to woman independent philanthropists who assist and empower those in need, and who compassionately change the lives of women and girls,” said Marlene Silver, JWF Co-chair.

“Our trustees are learning the impact and satisfaction of directing their philanthropy to the causes that matter most to them,” added Co-chair Ann Kelman. “In the process, we also educate and empower ourselves to manage our foundation and use our combined resources most effectively.”

Grants will be announced on March 16, 2011 at JWF’s annual Granting Wishes Reception, with funds distributed on April 2.   

For information about submitting an application or becoming a trustee, contact Maureen Melcer at 561-852-6069 or maureenm@bocafed.org, or visit www.jewishboca.org/jwf

Photo caption L-R:

Ann Kelman and Marlene Silver, JWF of South Palm Beach County Co-chairs