About the Natan/NEXT Grants for Social Entrepreneurs

Natan and NEXT have joined forces to support cultural, spritual, educational, service, and community-building projects run by you for your friends and peers. We’re looking to award grants of up to $10,000 for long-term projects—dreams that you hope to one day turn into organizations, clubs, and annual events. Please review the guidelines below to learn more.

Please note that the guidelines below may be changed from time to time, and without prior notice.  You can always find the most up-to-date guidelines on this page.

Applicant Eligibility Requirements

In order to apply, you must be:

1. A U.S. citizen or permanent resident;
2. Between the ages of 18-30;
3. NOT an employee of NEXT: A Division of Birthright Israel Foundation, Birthright Israel Foundation, Birthright Israel North America, or Natan, nor are you a part of the immediate family of an employee of any of these organizations. “Immediate family” includes only spouses, parents, siblings, and children.
   

Preparing to Apply

As a general rule, the more planning you can do in advance, the more likely that your project will be awarded funding.  Before completing an application for a project, make sure to answer the following questions:

1. What is the goal (or goals) of the project?
   1. Is there an important need or issue that the project will address?
2. Who is the target audience for the project?
3. What resources will be required for the project?
   1. People to plan the project?
   2. People to staff the project?
   3. Materials and financial needs?
   4. Are there other Jewish institutions in your community that could provide resources/assistance to you?
4. What is the timeline for the project?
5. How will the project be evaluated to determine whether it was successful?

Funding Priorities

The Natan and NEXT Grant Committees are looking for innovative, grassroots ideas and are more likely to fund entrepreneurs who can answer YES to these questions.

• Does the project connect Birthright Israel alumni and young Jewish adults with meaningful Jewish experiences?
• Is the project creative and unique to its location?
  
• Does the project address an under-served audience of Jews?  Is there a potential for measurable impact on that audience?
  
• Is the project actually feasible to implement in the proposed timetable? Is the proposal comprehensive and well-planned?

The Grant Committee will not discriminate in awarding funding based on Jewish affiliation, race, gender, sexual orientation, sexual preference, gender identity, national origin, or status as a military veteran. Please note that all funding decisions related to the Natan/NEXT Grant for Social Entrepreneurs are made at the sole and exclusive discretion of the Natan and NEXT Grant Committees, and that the decisions of the Committees are not subject to appeal.

The Fine Print: Funding Restrictions

Grant funding cannot be spent on:

• Projects that are held or substantially organized by or on behalf of other pre-established organizations.
• Projects that incorporate organizational partnerships or additional funding from outside sources where these partnerships/funding have not been approved by NEXT.
• Projects which support or promote a political candidate, movement, or party.
• Projects which disparage, attack, defame, demean, tarnish, or might otherwise, under reasonable standards, harm any person, group, company, or organization.
• Any travel-related fees (e.g. airfare, train tickets, taxis, hotel accommodations, car rentals, etc.) for anyone, including yourself, guest speakers, facilitators, or attendees.
• Stipends or wages for yourself or other organizers.
• Controlled substances, including, but not limited to, alcohol.
• Fundraising for or direct donations to other companies, organizations, or individuals.
• Anything not included in the approved grant proposal and budget.

In the event that you are unclear or unsure about whether NEXT will support a particular grant expense, please contact NEXT for clarification prior to incurring such expense.

Natan/NEXT Grant Procedure

Application Process

1. Start by completing and submitting your Natan/NEXT Grants for Social Entrepreneurs application. Applications must be submitted by 5pm EST on January 15, 2013.
2. Each and every grant application will be reviewed by the Natan and NEXT Grant Committees. 
3. The Grant Committees may select finalists who will be invited to give a presentation to the Natan Board.
4. Notification of acceptance or rejection will be emailed directly to applicants by mid-February, 2013.

Grant Administration Process for Approved Grants

1. If your proposal is approved, you will be assigned a Grant Administrator from NEXT who will work with you to establish goals, milestones, and reporting dates for your project.
2. You will then receive a Grant Agreement that must be signed and returned to NEXT before funding can be dispersed.  Note that all funding will be disbursed by NEXT.
3. NEXT will issue your first check, which can only be made out in your name, for fifty percent (50%) of your approved Grant amount.
4. A second installment of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of your grant will be provided, contingent on the progress outlined in your interim grant report and reporting on spending during the first half of your grant period.
5. The final payment of up to the remaining twenty-five percent (25%) of the grant will be provided at the end of the grant period, contingent upon the progress outlined in your final grant report and reporting on spending during the entirely of your grant period.  REMEMBER TO SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS!
6. In the event that the final (actual) grant-related costs are less than the awarded grant, the final grant disbursement will be adjusted to reflect the lower cost.  Within thirty (30) days of submitting your final grant report, you will be required to reimburse NEXT for any amount of grant disbursements received which exceed the amount you spent.

Some Final Notes

1. While YOU are primarily responsible for promoting your project, NEXT is here to help promote you.  Please take advantage of your grant administrator as a resource to help you achieve success!  Note that ALL promotional efforts and print and online marketing materials must include the official Natan logo and the official NEXT logo.  All usage of the Natan and NEXT logos and branding must be approved by your grant administrator.
2. When administering project-related activities, it is important to collect and track demographic information about your participants. How old are they?  Have they been on Taglit-Birthright Israel trips? What is the gender breakdown of your participants?  This information will be crucial to NEXT in its reporting and will also help you to evaluate your programming approach.
3. And finally, stay in touch!  Notify your grant administrator of any change in your contact information, location, or the nature of your programming.