Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles Relaunches Noted Grants Program Encouraging Innovation

Cutting Edge Grants 2.0 Evolves to Meet ‘New Normal,’ Builds on a 15-Year Legacy; Grantseekers’ Webinar Announced

LOS ANGELES (March 8, 2022)—The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles (The Foundation) today announced the launch of its revamped grants program focused on seeding and growing local innovative programs. It will hold a mandatory webinar on April 26 for nonprofits seeking funding in this year’s cycle. Applications will be due in early June.

Cutting Edge Grants 2.0 (CEG 2.0) builds upon the predecessor initiative which, since its creation in 2006, has awarded $21 million in funding to support more than 100 innovative Jewish causes and programs across Los Angeles. Under the reimagined CEG 2.0, applicants can apply for multi-year grants of up to $300,000. Eligibility information is available here.

According to Naomi Strongin, vice president of The Foundation’s Center for Designed Philanthropy which oversees institutional grantmaking, an extensive listening tour to determine the current and future funding needs of Jewish Los Angeles identified the need for support in the following areas: mental health and wellness; combatting antisemitism; vulnerable populations; and reaching diverse audiences and developing micro-communities that include Jews of color, the LGBTQ+ community, interfaith families, and individuals with disabilities, among others. “While grants will not be limited to these areas, we encourage applications that meet these needs,” Ms. Strongin stated.

She continued: “These challenging times demand new approaches. Cutting Edge Grants 2.0 is a response to a ‘new normal,’ while continuing to encourage the innovation and transformation that are hallmarks of this initiative. Our research revealed that nonprofits remain uncertain about how the pandemic will impact their ability to raise funds and implement programs in the future. Despite these effects, we are encouraged that Jewish organizations locally and across the nation continue to innovate – often out of necessity to advance new programs and creative approaches to meet the needs of their constituents. The Foundation is eager to support these efforts with CEG 2.0.”

About Cutting Edge Grants 2.0
Cutting Edge Grants 2.0 builds upon The Foundation’s Cutting Edge Grants, which were established in 2006. They are multi-year awards of up to $300,000 for innovative organizations of all sizes to support and foster creative programming that builds a vibrant and inclusive L.A. Jewish community, equipped to meet the emerging needs and opportunities of the future. Proposals are open for initiatives created in Los Angeles, and local launches or expansions of programs operating elsewhere. Successful applicants must demonstrate their capacity and leadership to implement the initiative; that the program addresses an unmet need; that the program demonstrates innovation and impact; that it can be sustained long-term; and that it offers long-term benefits to Jewish L.A.