Women Funding Women Locally and Abroad

The Tikkun Olam Women's Foundation (TOWF) has announced its grantees for their 2018/2019 grant cycle. An independent project of the United Jewish Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, TOWF is a member-governed non-profit based in Bethesda, Maryland. Since 2006 they have funded more than 42 organizations in the DC metro area and in Israel, awarding over $1.5 million in grants. TOWF funds Jewish women and girls in the Washington, DC metro area, women and girls in Israel, and low-income, immigrant women in the DC metro area.

Nonprofit organizations submit a grant request in the fall. TOWF members review these letters and invite those nonprofits whose projects closely align to TOWF's mission to submit a full proposal. TOWF members then review the proposals, visit the nonprofits, and together vote for the organizations TOWF will fund. “TOWF is impressed by the diverse and large number of organizations that submitted applications this year.” said Joan Kuriansky, Chair of TOWF.

This year, TOWF has selected 16 nonprofits to grant a total of $200,000 in four focus areas including those listed below. “Our 2018 funding reflects our intent to fund those organizations that are addressing today’s critical and emerging issues, here and in Israel. Among the grants we made in Israel are those that are challenging the increasing segregation of women in the public sphere, whether at schools, the military, on buses or in the street. In the DC area we have funded programs that will help refugees fleeing violence from their homes or their governments find refuge. We are a catalyst in raising the issue of the sexual harassment in our local Jewish community and support programs to bring Jewish women together with women of different ethnic and religious backgrounds,” continues Kuriansky.

Increasing women's voice through leadership and advocacy:
Focus Area Subtotal - $93,000

• Avodah ($12,000)
• Jews United for Justice ($15,000)
• The Association for Civil Rights in Israel ($14,000)
• Israel Women's Network ($14,000)
• We Power ($14,000)
• Avda Center ($14,000)
• Anu - Making Change ($10,000)

Free women from violence and abuse:
Focus Area Subtotal - $82,000

• Tahirih Justice Center ($20,000)
• Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse (JCADA) ($15,000)
• Sacred Spaces ($18,000)
• Asian Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project ($12,000)
• Kayan Feminist Organization ($14,000)
• Haifa Rape Crisis Center ($3,000)

Promote peace by building relationships among women from diverse communities and backgrounds:
Focus Area Subtotal - $15,000

• Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom ($12,000)
• Together Beyond Words ($3,000)

Improve economic status for women and their families:
Focus Area Subtotal - $10,000

• Florence Crittenton Services of Greater Washington ($10,000)

For further information about the grantees, please find the attached document. For further information on the granting process, please see here.

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Tikkun Olam Women’s Foundation of Greater Washington creates social change for women and girls locally and in Israel, and empowers purposeful, effective philanthropists. They envision a landscape of social and economic justice for all women and girls. TOWF is an independent project of the United Jewish Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.