The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies is very pleased to announce the receipt of renewed funding from two prominent national Jewish Foundations. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation of Owings Mills, Maryland has renewed its support for The Network with a three year grant of $3.35 million. Additionally, Crown Family Philanthropies of Chicago, Illinois has renewed its support with a two year grant.
Both grants are structured as unrestricted operating grants to support The Network, with the understanding that the Network plays a crucial role in enhancing the capacities of its 167+-member agencies located throughout the United States, Canada and Israel. In keeping with the previous grant intentions, the Weinberg Foundation grant will be used to support the general operations of The Network, Project EM: Empowering and Employing Our Community and The Network’s Center for Innovation and Research (NCIR). It will also help support The Network’s Strategic Planning process to be launched later this year. The Crown Family Philanthropies grant will be used for general operations and to support Project EM.
Both Foundations were instrumental in the launch of Project EM in January 2022. Originally a response to the COVID pandemic, Project EM, a partnership of 19 Network workforce development agencies, continues to provide holistic and equitable career services to job seekers regardless of where they live. Together agencies provide a continuum of employment and social services, online and in-person, to support those impacted by job loss, underemployment and/or barriers to securing employment due to lack of education, skills and other challenges. Services meet the needs of job seekers regardless of background, education level or ability and include individualized supports, workshops, training, employer connections and coaching. The new funding will enable Project EM to not only continue its valuable work, but also to expand its reach by developing targeted tracks to support more job seekers historically underserved due to barriers to employment such as refugees, women, older adults, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, previously incarcerated and rural job seekers.
NCIR collaborates with member agencies and embraces opportunities that help them to achieve greater impact for their clients, their agency operations, and their communities. NCIR’s goal is to provide timely and responsive solutions to challenges faced by member agencies that enhance service quality, create operational and cost efficiencies, and transform agency cultures. NCIR’s portfolio is focused on three distinct human service sector wide challenges: 1) Crisis Response, 2) Talent Recruitment & Retention, and 3) Sustainability. To address these challenges, NCIR has applied its resources to the development of learning opportunities, consultation, and capacity building tools that are timely and responsive. The renewed funding will enable NCIR to continue to address these challenges.
Reuben Rotman, President & CEO of the Network stated that “the Network is honored by the renewed commitment and support from both the Weinberg Foundation and Crown Family Philanthropies and proud to partner with them as they seek to address critical Jewish human service sector challenges. Both Foundations have not only provided funding for key initiatives, but have served as thought partners, contributing to Project EM’s and NCIR’s successes to date.”
Jon Hornstein, Program Director at The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, shared: “The Network is one of the Foundation’s strongest partners in addressing poverty in the Jewish community and beyond. We see this as an investment in the entire field of Jewish direct services agencies, which provide critical support to people experiencing poverty day in and day out. We are proud to expand grant funding for The Network’s national programs like Project EM, as well as for strategic planning and building internal capacity.”
Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (The Network)
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies is a membership association of 167+ non-profit Jewish human service organizations in the United States, Canada, and Israel, working together to positively impact over one million clients annually. Members provide a full range of human services for people of all ages in the Jewish community and beyond. The Network serves as the leading voice for Jewish human service organizations – the go-to resource for best practices, research, innovation and partnerships; strengthening agencies so that they can better serve their communities. For more information about The Network visit www.networkjhsa.org or call 201-977-2400.
