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Overview
These grants support ROIer-led pilot projects that propose innovative solutions to critical challenges in Israeli society and global Jewish communities.
What's New?
What's new about our Grassroots Initiatives Grants?
- Projects must fall within ROI's focus areas and be measurable, scalable and feasible.
ROI's focus areas are:
- Contemporary Israel Challenges
- Strengthening Israel's diverse society and democratic values by promoting inclusivity, fostering dialogue across divides, and encouraging civic engagement.
- Cultivating the next generation of changemakers in policy research, content, and dialogue.
- Advancing women's leadership and inclusion in decision-making.
- A Resilient and Safe Israeli Society
- Strengthening community resilience and preventing the effects of war-related trauma.
- Innovation in improving and protecting the safety, security, and rights of women and children.
- Combating Antisemitism and Building Bridges to Israel
- Combating contemporary antisemitism and anti-Zionism.
- Highlighting the diverse mosaic of Israeli society to global audiences, battling disinformation and biases, and enhancing international support for Israel.
- It is no longer a requirement for the Grassroots project to be an event. Our new Grassroots Initiatives Grants can support non-events and longer-term projects and processes. An ROIer can still propose an event, but only applications that demonstrate clear potential for lasting social change will be approved.
- We will require ROIers to demonstrate innovation (e.g., proposing a new tech-based solution), and measurable objectives. We will not fund projects that an ROIer has already led in the past (e.g., year two of a training program).
- ROIers can apply to receive up to two Grassroots Initiatives Grants per year, of up to $5,000 each.
Eligibility
Who is eligible to apply? ROI Community members who:
- Participated in the 2015 ROI Summit or later, and
- Have completed the most recent ROI Member Survey*.
*Beginning in 2025: In addition to completion of the most recent Member Survey, eligibility will be contingent upon participation in at least two ROI events the previous year.
What are we looking for? ROIers need to demonstrate clearly:
- How the project or initiative directly addresses challenges in one of ROI's focus areas,
- The anticipated impact of the project,
- Measurability (what does success look like, how will you know if you've achieved it, and how do you plan to evaluate your progress?),
- Scalability (is there potential to scale this project to create greater/longer-lasting impact?),
- Feasibility (are the budget and timeline realistic, do you have the right experts to guide the program, are you taking on realistic partners?),
- Innovation (how does this project compare to existing initiatives in the field?),
- A clear implementation plan, timeline, and milestones,
- An understanding of potential challenges and setbacks,
- An ROIer is the one leading the project and is personally involved in carrying it out, and
- Co-investment on the part of the ROIer or the ROIer's organization (advantage).
Process
Here's how to apply:
- Apply four weeks before the project. (Preview the application form questions here.)
- Hear back from the ROI team within 10 business days of applying.
- Complete the (optional) Interim Report Form 15 business days or more before the end date of your project if you would like to request partial upfront payment for your expenses.
- Submit Final Report, including receipts/proof of payment, within 30 days of your opportunity's conclusion.
- Receive the remainder of your grant as reimbursement after your report is approved.
- Payment will be made via PayPal.