A Course in Grant Writing and Fundraising will be Starting in Jerusalem
Starting October, we will be giving a course on grant writing, foundations, and fundraising in Jerusalem. Whether you are a fundraising professional looking to improve your skills, or someone wanting to enter the resource development profession, this course is for you. Discounts for people who register early! Read more about our course in fundraising and grant writing.
Monthly Client Update: The Zalul Enivornmental Association
We are pleased to have the Zalul Environmental Association as one of the clients for whom we are seeking funding. Zalul is an Israeli environmental NGO founded in 1999 working to protect the seas and rivers of Israel through conservation, activism, research, awareness-raising and education. Zalul has initiated local and national campaigns that target unchallenged municipalities, corporations and the national government on their negligence and destruction of Israel’s most precious resource - water.
Most recently Zalul has been focusing its attention on a number of projects, including:
- Pushing forward Best Available Technology (BAT) implementation policies in Israel's polluting factories.
- Ending the discharge of effluent into the Mediterranean by the Unilever (Telma) production factory.
- Fighting for the end of sewage discharge to the sea by multiple local authorities along the Mediterranean coastline.
- Building partnerships with companies to promote our shared vision of clean seas and rivers.
- Closely following the development of desalination facilities and demanding the use of BAT to ensure a minimal environmental impact.
Read Zalul's petition to stop Telma's polluting of the Med!
An Unpaid Internship that Paid Off - by Jessica Kirk-Bowman, Development Coordinator, HaMoked
When I decided to attend the Hebrew University for their MA program in Community Leadership and Philanthropy, it was part of my great plan to leave the United States and my medical research career behind and start a new life and career in Israeli nonprofits. While starting courses was straightforward, finding actual work experience proved to be much more challenging. Even finding a volunteer position that provided meaningful work and learning opportunities was not simple. Then this past spring, David-Maeir Epstein provided a few lectures to our class and announced that he’d was providing an internship in his office. I was excited about the chance to learn about fundraising and its myriad of details, and was hopeful that this internship experience would be valuable.
For several months this past spring, I worked twice a week in the office of David Maeir-Epstein, Resource Development for Nonprofits on Emek Rafaim in Jerusalem. There was always something for me to contribute to and learn about. During my work, I was given assignments that I taught me the ins and outs of fundraising, including writing letters of inquiry, foundation research, drafting proposals, submissions and working with foundations. In addition, the staff made me feel at home and I was able to learn from everyone. Interning has given me greater confidence in my knowledge and capabilities as a grant writer.
A few weeks ago I applied for a job as Development Coordinator for HaMoked, the The Center for the Defense of the Individual. I included the internship on my resume and gave David as a reference. I have no doubt that the internship played a most significant role my getting the job offer! I'm really excited about staying in Israel and in meeting the challenges of my new position. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I had as an intern, experiencing firsthand how the work is done on a day to day level at one of the leading resource development consulting firms in Israel.
Anyone interesting in interning should contact David Maeir-Epstein at dave@israelgrants.com.
Our office is seeking an entry-level, bilingual secretary. Currently, the job is a part-time position, during the morning hours, with the possibility of full-time work after the holidays. This person will have the unique opportunity to receive training in grantwriting and fundraising. Please contact Shlomit at Shlomit@israelgrants.com for details.
Congratulations to Clients:
An organization working in the area of coexistence was awarded a grant from USAID in the amount of $560,000 for Arab-Jewish Youth Councils in Israel's mixed cities. After the contract is signed, we shall be able to provide more details. This is the second largest grant that we have been involved in obtaining for a client!.
The Katheryn Ames Foundation granted $12,000 to Hut Hameshulash for their project “A Warm Home for Girls”. This grant was based on the proposal we submitted as well a visit of the project site that Dave arranged. Located Jerusalem, the home provides 12 girls, ages 17-22, some of whom are pregnant, with a period of up to a year in an extended family framework, counseling and vocational training and a chance to stabilize their lives and choose a positive path for the future. Mazal Tov to Yigal Goldstein, the director, and Sivan, the project manager!
