GRANTS

ELEVATE YOUR EXPERIENCES

We're Embracing Innovation

As our Movement grows so does our ability to innovate programming, execute big ideas, and turn our dreams into a reality. We know that many big ideas come with a price tag which is why we are offering multiple innovation grants that your chapter or community can apply for. We want there to be no barrier to your ability to make a difference, make an impact, and make our community stronger. Explore the current available grants in the tabs below to inspire what you could do for your next event.

Gamechanger Grants

Who: Open to all chapters worldwide.*
Opportunity: Plan an event designed to make a big difference in your community, bring in new prospects and members, and pilot new program initiatives.
Amount: $50-$1000; Innovation grants will be awarded on a rolling basis while funds are available.
Timeline: Apply at least two weeks prior to your event. The earlier, the better!

*Gamechanger Innovation Grants are meant to drive innovative chapter programs, and are not typically awarded to member-only regional experiences.

Before you apply, take time to build a thoughtful plan. You absolutely must be able to specify in your application what the Gamechanger Innovation Grant money will be used for. If you need any additional support or guidance before submitting your application, feel free to reach out to any of us at azabbg@bbyo.org or through your International Gizborim.

Please read the information below before applying! The application link is at the bottom of the page.

Innovation Grants can range from $50 to $1,000* (USD) and will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Program content and quality

  • Event environment (exciting location, how the event will look/feel, branding, hosting strategies)

  • Communication and outreach strategies

  • Engagement of prospects, current members, alumni, community members, and beyond

*Please note, grants of larger amounts (beyond $1000) will be considered on an individual basis as funding permits. 

Innovation Grants are intended to:

  • Elevate chapter programs beyond the “typical" and create innovative programs that level up the chapter experience and wouldn’t be possible otherwise

  • Supplement chapter programs budgets to expand the depth and/or reach of the program

  • Launch new chapters

  • Engage prospects and teens not yet involved with BBYO

  • Highlight service, advocacy, global Jewry, education, entrepreneurship, and more

  • Give particular attention to programs that prioritize Aleph engagement and upperclassmen engagement

  • Support WOW Programs at the chapter level

  • Elevate recruitment, retention, fraternity and sisterhood programming (i.e., Big/Little programming, Inductions, Intake/Rush, etc.)  

  • Boost BBYO visibility, reach, and impact throughout your community

  • Engagement of prospects, current members, alumni, community members, and beyond

Program elements Gamechanger Innovation Grants have funded:

  • Offsetting costs of exciting and creative program venues

  • Elevated food experiences like Cupcake Wars, Master Chef, Food Trucks, and Bonfires

  • Launch new chapters

  • Chapter outings like Bubble Soccer, Bowling, Paintball, Sports Events, Escape Rooms, Laser Tag, Roller Staking, and Pottery

  • Hosting and branding advancements for chapter experiences

  • Cost of event attendance for chapter members

This list is not exhaustive! We encourage you to apply for a Gamechanger Innovation Grant for any program element that is innovative, exciting, and engaging.

Please note that Gamechanger Innovation Grants will not be awarded for fundraisers, swag, gifts or tips, or transportation. Gamechanger Innovation Grants are also typically not awarded for food unless it truly elevates the program experience.

All recipients will need to submit the following in exchange for awarded funding after the event using the Gamechanger Innovation Grant Report Form:

  • Event participant data (via Jotform, BBYO Sign-in Link, Excel spreadsheet, etc.)

  • Photo and/or video highlights

  • Teen Testimonials from the experience

Check out these planning tools to help you get started:

Before you submit an application for funding, make sure you've exhausted all of the ways to raise funds for your event. Here is a list of fundraisers you can host in your chapter. Gamechanger Innovation Grants are intended to elevate the program experience. Your program budget should be able to support the experience regardless of the event. These funds should supplement your program budget not as a means to make a profit on the program.

‍BBYO’s Program Planning Form is required with every Gamechanger Innovation Grant Application. The program planning form must give the committee a clear sense of what your program is about, provide a budget, and be viewable by the committee.

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Gamechanger Innovation Granted Programs

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2022 - 2023 Gamechanger Innovation Granting Committee

Alexa Konover

Ohio Northern

Gamechanger Innovation Granting Coach

Avi Cohn

Rocky Mountain

Gamechanger Innovation Granting Coach

Daniella Krasney

Greater Jersey Hudson River: Northern

Gamechanger Innovation Granting Coach

Ellie Blumberg

New England

Gamechanger Innovation Granting Coach

Etel Malka

Hudson Valley

Gamechanger Innovation Granting Coach

Ilan Mops

Spain

Gamechanger Innovation Granting Coach

Joshua Horwich

Great Midwest

Gamechanger Innovation Granting Coach

Justin Baltuch

Greater Jersey Hudson River: Northern

Gamechanger Innovation Granting Coach

Maya Weisman

Central Region West

Gamechanger Innovation Granting Coach

Nika Festetics de Tolna

Balkans: Croatia

Gamechanger Innovation Granting Coach

Noah Paradise

Greater Jersey Hudson River: Central

Gamechanger Innovation Granting Coach

Sami Cooper

Northern Region East: Baltimore

Gamechanger Innovation Granting Coach

Shay Manor

Central Region West

Gamechanger Innovation Granting Coach

Sydney Shanker

Delta

Gamechanger Innovation Granting Coach

Passover Seder Grants

The Passover Seder Grant is designed to offer you the ability to bring your community together for a meaningful Passover Seder. Passover Seders are interactive ways to tell our story of the Exodus from Egypt. During Passover, seders can take place anytime, anywhere! This year we encourage you to transform any chapter moments into a seder experience (chapter dinners, meetings, Shabbat meals, etc). Use this top 10 list or build your own Haggadah to either host a full seder or bring elements of a seder into your chapter programming!

Open to all chapters, regions, and communities in North America

Funding can be received for up to $15 USD per person

Funding is available from March 28-April 21st, 2023

If you need any additional support or guidance before submitting your application, feel free to reach out to any of us at jewish@bbyo.org or through your International Sh'lichim. Your wins are our wins and we want you to thrive. Let’s make history!
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Funding is available from March 28 - April 21, 2023. Your seder does not need to happen over Passover, it can happen the week before or week after.

Follow these steps and get your Passover Seder event funded.

  • Complete this form at least two weeks before your scheduled Passover seder.

  • Schedule a 60-minute call with a Jewish Education Consultant (JEC) to provide coaching for your dinner. This information will be sent to approved applicants. The chapter board will then meet with a JEC to plan your Passover seder in a 45-60 minute meeting.

  • Plan a Kosher-Style Seder. Use this resource to plan your event with your JEC. Your seder should be kosher-style meaning either a vegetarian meal with dairy products or a meat meal with no dairy options. Kosher-style usually refers to food that is kosher but is not necessarily labeled with a kosher symbol. Generally, kosher-style food does not include products from forbidden animals, such as pigs or shellfish, and does not contain both meat (including poultry) and dairy (ex: milk, butter, milk chocolate). We also encourage you to be mindful of Passover dietary restrictions such as refraining from grains such as bread and rice.

  • Receive up to $15 per person which will include money for a kosher-style seder and for Passover materials (some helpful resources can be found below). Your chapter will be compensated based on how many teens attend your Passover seder. For North American communities, we will track this by text-by-attendance in MyBBYO.

  • Complete a post-event reporting form, as this will tell us how much to reimburse you for your dinner.

What should we use this Passover Seder Funding?

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This grant is meant to encourage your chapter to host a Passover seder. You do not need to know how to host a seder. We will help guide you to do so. Invite current members, prospects and, of course, your chapter advisor.

When should I expect to hear back about funding?

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You will hear back within five business days of submission of the application. If accepted, you will receive an email with the next steps and helpful links.

How will funding work?

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Your chapter will purchase the materials and the meal with the assistance of your regional staff. If you send regional staff your order information, they'll be able to use their business credit cards to make the purchase for you. Amazon, Walmart, and Target are best for supplies, and most restaurants will allow you to pay over the phone or the internet. This way, your chapter avoids reimbursement which can take a couple of weeks.

After the event, you'll complete a reporting form and we will ask you to upload a report from Mybbyo that lists all attendees. Remember, we will fund up to $15 per teen for your Seder.


Check out these planning tools to help you get started:

Shabbat Dinner Grants

The Chapter Shabbat Dinner Microgrant is designed to offer you the ability to bring your community together for a meaningful Shabbat dinner. Shabbat dinner and ritual offer a chance to be present and connect with yourself and others. While we’re guided by our organization’s Jewish Core Values, Inclusivity, Jewish Leadership, Active Leadership, and Tradition, we want to inspire you to help make ancient Jewish practices work for you now in your own unique way and in your own space.

Open to all chapters, regions, and communities in North America

Funding can be received for up to $15 USD per person

Apply for funding on a rolling basis through June 2023

Before you apply, take time to build a thoughtful plan. Talk with your peers, staff, and advisors about what will make the biggest impact on your community. They can help advise on your timeline, budget, and content. If you need any additional support or guidance before submitting your application, feel free to reach out to any of us at jewish@bbyo.org or through your International Sh'lichim. Your wins are our wins and we want you to thrive. Let’s make history!

Please read the information below before applying! The application link is at the bottom of the page

Each Chapter will:

  • Complete this form at least three weeks before your scheduled Shabbat Dinner.

  • Complete a Calendly to schedule a 60-minute call with a Jewish Education Consultant (JEC) to provide coaching for your dinner. This information will be sent to approved applicants.

  • The chapter board will then meet with a JEC to plan your Shabbat dinner in a 45-60 minute meeting.

  • Receive up to $15 per person which will include money for a kosher-style dinner and for Shabbat materials that can be found on Amazon (a suggested list will be shared in the grant acceptance email) or found at a local store like Walmart.

  • Your chapter will be compensated based on how many teens attend your Shabbat dinner. We will track this by text-by-attendance in Mybbyo. We recommend closing your event on the Tuesday before Shabbat so you have an accurate number of teens to include in the dinner purchase.

  • Dinner should be kosher-style meaning either a vegetarian meal with dairy products or a meat meal with no dairy options. Kosher-style usually refers to food that is kosher but is not necessarily labeled with a kosher symbol. Generally, kosher-style food does not include products from forbidden animals, such as pigs or shellfish, and does not contain both meat (including poultry) and dairy (ex: milk, butter, milk chocolate).

  • Complete a post-event reporting form, as this will tell us how much to reimburse you for your dinner.

  • Your chapter can apply for a Shabbat Dinner Microgrant up to 2 times in 2022-2023.

    For Advisors:

  • We are thrilled to open this application to advisors in FY23. The process will be very similar to the teen process.

  • Complete this form at least three weeks before your scheduled Shabbat Dinner.

  • Complete a Calendly to schedule a 60-minute call with a Jewish Education Consultant (JEC) to provide coaching for your dinner. This information will be sent to approved applicants.

  • The advisor that applies will then meet with a JEC to plan your Shabbat dinner in a 45-60 minute meeting.

  • Receive up to $15 per person which will include money for a kosher-style dinner and for Shabbat materials that can be found on Amazon (a suggested list will be shared in the grant acceptance email) or found at a local store like Walmart.

  • We ask that you keep track of who attended the event in which ever way is convenient for you.

  • Dinner should be kosher-style meaning either a vegetarian meal with dairy products or a meat meal with no dairy options. Kosher-style usually refers to food that is kosher but is not necessarily labeled with a kosher symbol. Generally, kosher-style food does not include products from forbidden animals, such as pigs or shellfish, and does not contain both meat (including poultry) and dairy (ex: milk, butter, milk chocolate).

  • Complete a post-event reporting form.

  • Erica Abrams, Manager, Advisor Recruitment, will give you access to a virtual credit card to purchase your meal for Shabbat.

What should we use this Chapter Dinner for/who should we include?

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This microgrant is meant to reach your newest chapter members as well as your chapter prospects! We want to share the magic and light of Shabbat with all members of your community, specifically prospective and new members.

When should I expect to hear back about funding?

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You will hear back within five business days of submission of the application. If accepted, you will receive an email with the next steps and helpful links.

How will funding work?

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Your chapter will purchase the materials and the meal with the assistance of your regional staff. If you send regional staff your order information, they'll be able to use their business credit cards to make the purchase for you. Amazon, Walmart, and Target are best for supplies, and most restaurants will allow you to pay over the phone or the internet. This way, your chapter avoids reimbursement which can take a couple of weeks.

After the event, you'll complete a reporting form and we will ask you to upload a report from Mybbyo that lists all attendees. Remember, we will fund up to $15 per teen for dinner and Shabbat materials.


Check out these planning tools to help you get started:

For Advisors:

Israel Program Grants

Who: Open to all chapters, regions, and communities worldwide.
Opportunity: Plan an event or program designed to elevate the conversation around Israel.
Amount: $50-$1000; Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis while funds are available.
Timeline: Apply at least two weeks prior to your event.

Please read the information below before applying! The application link is at the bottom of the page.

At BBYO, we want to ensure that our Israel programming is sophisticated, thoughtful, high quality, and pluralistic. As such, we ask that your Israel program has an added value—an educational goal that goes above and beyond social programming.

As your ideating, please consider the following:

  • What is your program’s stated objective or intended outcome?

  • Does your program include meaningful or challenging discussion?

  • Does your program represent a plurality of views, when possible?

  • Does your program utilize a speaker or educator? If you are having speakers or guests, please make sure you have a person who is an example of an issue, rather than a representative for that issue. We are most interested in hearing about people’s personal stories and experiences, not their political punditry. If your program specifically engages in political discourse, please make sure a plurality of views are represented. For further questions reach out to Alana Ebin (Director of Jewish Enrichment at BBYO).

Before you apply, take time to build a thoughtful plan. Talk with your peers, staff and advisors about what will make the biggest impact for your community. They can help advise on your timeline, budget, and content. If you need any additional support or guidance before submitting your application, feel free to reach out to any of us at jewish@bbyo.org or through your International Sh'lichim. Your wins are our wins and we want you to thrive. Let’s make history!

Grant Application Closed

Global Shabbat Grants

Plan a Global Shabbat program, service, and/or gathering that is designed to engage Everyone. Everywhere. We encourage you to bring in new prospects and members by creating community in this special global moment. Think about how to utilize Friday night, Saturday morning and/or Havdalah when considering programming.

Please read the information below before applying! The application link is at the bottom of the page.

Open to all chapters, regions, and communities worldwide

Grants range from $50-$1,000 and will be awarded on a rolling basis

Apply for funding by November 15, 2022. No applications after November 15th will be considered.

Global Shabbat Grant applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Program content and quality

  • Event environment (exciting location, how the event will look/feel, branding, hosting strategies)

  • Communication and outreach strategies

  • Engagement of prospects, current members, alumni, community members, and beyond

*Please note, grants of larger amounts (beyond $1000) will be considered on an individual basis as funding permits. 

Global Shabbat Grants are intended to:

  • Elevate chapter/regional Shabbat programs beyond the “typical" and create innovative programs that level up the chapter/regional experience and wouldn’t be possible otherwise

  • Engage prospects and teens not yet involved with BBYO

  • Highlight service, advocacy, global Jewry, education, entrepreneurship, and more

  • Boost BBYO visibility, reach, and impact throughout your community

  • Engagement of prospects, current members, alumni, community members, and beyond

All recipients will need to submit the following in exchange for awarded funding after the event using the Global Shabbat Innovation Grant Report Form:

  • Event participant data (via Jotform, BBYO Sign-in Link, Excel spreadsheet, etc.)

  • Photo and/or video highlights

  • Teen Testimonials from the experience

Check out these planning tools to help you get started:

Before you apply, take time to build a thoughtful plan. Talk with your peers, staff, and advisors about what will make the biggest impact on your community. They can help advise on your timeline, budget, and content. If you need any additional support or guidance before submitting your application, feel free to reach out to any of us at jewish@bbyo.org or through your International Sh'lichim. Your wins are our wins and we want you to thrive. Let’s make history!