Program Portfolios and Priorities
This year’s grants will honor Professor Wiesel’s work as an EDUCATOR and his work as an ACTIVIST.
Educator
The EDUCATOR portfolio honors Elie Wiesel’s commitment to education by supporting programs connected to moral education grounded in Jewish values.
As Elie wrote, “Whatever the answer to essential questions of society and individual human beings may be, education is surely its major component. But what would education be without its ethical dimension? Many of us believe them to be inseparable.”
The Foundation is interested in considering grants at any level of educational impact, and it seeks to support programs and projects that foster dialogue, especially in innovative ways.
Activist
The Foundation’s ACTIVIST portfolio honors Elie Wiesel’s human rights work. As he said, “Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitives become irrelevant. Whenever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must – at that moment – become the center of the universe.”
In 2022, EWF’s ACTIVIST grants will focus on programs to restore the rights and dignity of the Uyghur population.
Grant Guidelines
The deadline for applications has passed. Please check back for our next round.
- The Foundation only funds 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service. Organizations that primarily work abroad must have a US 501(c)(3) or US-based fiscal sponsor at the time of application.
- No grants will be made to individuals, for loans, or to private foundations.
- Grantee organizations must also demonstrate that they can carry out the program or project for which they seek funding, and that they adhere to sound financial and governance practices to steward the Foundation’s funds.
The Foundation does not fund organizations that demonize Israel in any way including campaigning against investment in Israel.
- Grants will be for one year and made only for specific programs that fit within the Foundation’s programmatic portfolios.
- The Foundation will not consider applications for general operating support or capital projects.
- Grantee organizations must be in good standing with the IRS, and requested grant funds may be used only for charitable activities, in accordance with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Grantees
EDUCATOR Portfolio
The EDUCATOR portfolio honors Elie Wiesel’s commitment to education by supporting programs connected to moral education grounded in Jewish values.The Foundation is interested in considering grants at any level of educational impact, and it seeks to support programs and projects that foster dialogue, especially in innovative ways.
Witness Institute
Location
Silver Spring, MD
Mission
Program Name
The Witness Institute Fellowship
Grant Award
$150K
15-month Fellowship program led by Rabbi Dr. Ariel Burger to sensitize emerging leaders in their 20s to 40s and equip them with practices developed by Elie Wiesel that would help them develop moral courage and influence their communities and causes in positive ways.
Gratz College & United Negro College Fund
Location
Gratz: Melrose Park, PA
UNCF: Washington, DC
Mission
Gratz: Mission + History – Gratz College
UNCF: Our Mission – UNCF
Program Name
Black-Jewish Fellowship
Grant Award
$80K
1-Year Fellowship between Black and Jewish college students in partnership with the United Negro College Fund.
Valley Beit Midrash
Location
Scottsdale, AZ
Mission
Program Name
Global Jewish Leaders Fellowship
Grant Award
$20K
Fellowship comprised of online moral education classes taught by renowned scholars/activists around the world and putting those teachings into real-life scenarios through community volunteer projects led by Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz.
Grant Advisory Board
Mehnaz Afridi: Professor of Religious Studies & Director of The Holocaust, Genocide, and Interfaith Education Center at Manhattan College
Sarah Idan: Model, Television host, Musician and Miss Universe Iraq 2017
Mayim Bialik: Actress and Host of Jeopardy
*All selections made were then reviewed by EWF Board of Directors
ACTIVIST Portfolio
The Foundation’s ACTIVIST portfolio honors Elie Wiesel’s human rights work. As he said, “Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitives become irrelevant. Whenever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must – at that moment – become the center of the universe.” In 2022, EWF’s ACTIVIST grants will focus on programs to restore the rights and dignity of the Uyghur population.
World Uyghur Congress, Jewish World Watch, and Uyghur Human Rights Project
Location
WUC: Munich, GER
JWW: Encino, CA
UHRP: Washington, DC
Mission
WUC: About – World Uyghur Congress
JWW: About Us – Jewish World Watch
UHRP: About – Uyghur Human Rights Project
Program Name
2023 NYC Uyghur Conference
Grant Award
$250K
WUC, UHRP, and JWW will host a Conference of Uyghur activists and allies to consider the international response to the Uyghur genocide. To be held this winter in New York, the Conference will aim to foster collaboration between these stakeholders, energize current efforts of Uyghur activism, and discuss new ways to activate the Jewish community and engage other citizens of conscience.
Ana Care and Education
Location
Fairfax, VA
Mission
Program Name
Ana Care and Education Uyghur Programs
Grant Award
$50K
Ana Care aims to preserve the Uyghur language, history, and culture through interactive programming for Uyghur families in the diaspora. They provide school-based learning for students and adults that helps shape relationships, builds community, and continues to connect them to their ancestry.
Grant Advisory Board
Natan Sharansky: Soviet dissident, Israeli politician, & Human rights activist
Mark Hetfield: President and CEO of Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
Nadine Epstein: Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Moment magazine
Gulhumar Haitiwaji: Activist, Daughter of camp survivor Gulbahar Haitiwaji
*All selections made were then reviewed by EWF Board of Directors