The Jewish Funders Network Earmark $1.5 Million Green Ones For Israel's Environment – Apply Now!

Just when we thought the whole world was in an economic slump: The Jewish Funders Network just announced a $750,000 pool of funds earmarked to match first-time major gifts by JFN members to Israeli non-profit environmental organizations, according to eJewish Philanthropy.

The Jewish Funders Network and the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund Matching Grant Initiative for the Environment in Israel, the website reports, will “offer donors an innovative and effective way to leverage an investment to impact the environment in Israel, a critical field which will have long-term impact on the health, economy, and quality of life.”

“JFN’s matching grants programs are a time-proven tool that produces real impact,” said Murray Galinson, the JFN Board Chair. “We are pleased to be able to be able to be able to offer this tool to help maximize the positive impact that donors can make on the environment in Israel.”

According to eJewish Philanthropy, over the past 4 years JFN’s matching grant initiatives have generated over $60 million in new funds for a wide range of causes. Grants will be $25,000 to $50,000.

Time to polish off your proposals: To qualify for the environmental grant in Israel, your NGO organization/group/project must be based in Israel and directly engaged in environmental work.

Priority will be given to:

• activism
• advocacy
• community environmental activity
• public environmental education
• or youth environmental education

“The need for protecting Israel’s environment is a growing challenge, even as natural resource depletion and clean water shortages escalate,” said Richard N. Goldman, founder and president of the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund. “There is a pressing need to proactively and effectively address the environmental impact of rapid industrialization and population growth.”

Why support Israel’s environment?

According to JFunders, Did You Know That:

• More than 95% of Israel’s solid waste is buried in landfills, burned in open-air pits or left to rot in garbage dumps throughout the country.
• Israel has only 1.9 cubic kilometers of renewable water resources; 64% are used for farming activity and 7% are used for industrial purposes.
• Each year over 100 million cubic meters of industrial effluents and sewage are dumped into the coastal waters of Israel.
• The Israel Ministry of the Environment claims that one child in five suffers from breathing difficulties as a result of serious air pollution.
• Health care and other costs due to premature death and illness are estimated at over $77.4 million a year.
• Israel is home to 14 endangered mammal species and 12 endangered bird species.

The JFN/Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund Matching Grants Initiative for the Environment in Israel offers donors an innovative and effective way to impact the environment in Israel. This is a critical field which will have a long-term impact on the health, economy, and quality of life in Israel.

With new donor support, Israeli environmental organizations will be able to ensure a healthy and sustainable environment. Your matching grant can go towards advocacy and environmental grass-roots activism; environmental awareness; youth education; protection of vital water sources; and much more.

Applications from donors for matching grants must be submitted by 5:00 PM EDT on July 31, 2009.

Hat tip to PresenTense and Joel @ Religion And State in Israel