2022 Program Portfolios and Priorities

This year’s grants will honor Prof. Wiesel’s work as an EDUCATOR and his work as an ACTIVIST.

The deadline for 2022 applications has passed. Please check back in 2023.

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 is December 15, 2022.

The Foundation’s 2022 grant cycle will award one or more grants in each portfolio. Grants will range in size from $50,000 to $200,000.

  • 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 can expect standard written reporting requirements as well as communication with Foundation staff and/or board members during the one-year grant.
The Foundation seeks to truly partner with the grantees it selects, and together the Foundation hopes to foster activities that meaningfully honor Elie Wiesel’s legacy.

The deadline for 2022 applications has passed. Please check back in 2023.