JNF Boruchin Center
In June 2015, Jewish National Fund announced the creation of the $100 million JNF Boruchin Center, designed to be one of the most powerful new initiatives in the Jewish world. The center, administered within JNF-USA by a committee of JNF donors and lay people, was created as a result of an estate gift generously given by the late John and Dora Boruchin of California.
John Boruchin was born in Poland and met his wife Dora in Russia after World War II. While most of John’s family perished in the Holocaust, Dora’s immediate family survived, now live mainly in Canada and the United States, and remain active supporters of Israel and Jewish National Fund. John and Dora came to the States and he slowly made his fortune in real estate, eventually becoming one of the largest tract home builders in California. They are survived by their son, Isak. The Boruchins’ love and passion for Israel and Zionism is what led to their goal of connecting young people to Israel through Jewish National Fund.
Mission Statement
Strengthen the lifelong connection of all Americans, and in particular young Jewish Americans, to the land and people of Israel through innovative and inspiring programming.
Dream Israel: Teen Travel Initiative
The Dream Israel Teen Initiative is helping high school teens like you get to Israel for an exciting and immersive experience! By fundraising for a project in Israel, you become eligible for a grant toward a qualified program of 4 weeks or longer. To learn more, click here.
Request for Proposal (RFP)
We are pleased to announce that we will be accepting letters of intent for funding beginning in November 2020 and due February 15, 2021. You may access our online LOI form here.
BORUCHIN CENTER GRANTS
Grantee Criteria
$100,000 minimum grant request from JNF Boruchin Center
Grantees must also raise matching funds (for a minimum $200,000 budgetary need)
Current 501c3 status required
Please note that the all Boruchin Center grants last for a period of 1 year
Grant Cycle Calendar 2020-2021
February 15, 2021 – Letters of Inquiry are due to Boruchin Center
May 17, 2021 – Applications for 2022 funding are due
June 28, 2021 – Applicants are informed of committee decisions
Week of July 12, 2021 – 2022 Agreements go out
August 9, 2021 – Signed 2022 Agreements are due
October 1, 2021 - 2022 grant period begins
Contact Us
Grantees
JNF Boruchin Center is currently funding a number of projects, programs, and initiatives both within the framework of JNF and in partnership with outside organizations and partners. Below is a list and description of the programs that have received grant funds from the JNF Boruchin Center.
External Grantees
Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC)
The mission of ICC is to inspire American college students to see Israel as a source of pride and empower them to stand up for Israel on campus. The ICC’s role in this effort is to unite the many pro-Israel organizations that operate on campuses across the United States by coordinating strategies, providing educational resources, sharing in-depth research, and increasing collaboration.
2019-20 Funding: $500,000
2020-21 Funding: $500,000
The mission of Heroes to Heroes is to provide a spiritual healing and peer support program for American wounded combat veterans who suffer from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), moral injury, and depression. Their vision is a world in which our veterans feel valued. To fulfill this, they send teams of ten veterans on a ten-day journey to Israel. They travel with five Israeli veterans who share their experiences and become part of their support system.
2019-20 Funding: $250,000
2020-21 Funding: $400,000
Yavneh – Campus Leadership Program
Yavneh, now in its third year, recruits, trains and mentors a network of all-star student leaders who are engaged in positive Israel activism, building Jewish life and creating dynamic programs on college campuses across North America.
2020-21 Funding: $95,000
Jewish Interactive
Jewish Interactive is an innovative non-profit organization that strives to create interactive Jewish programs, utilizing modern technology, to make Jewish and Hebrew Education available for all children at home, in school and in-between.
2020-21 Funding: $125,000
Internal Grantees
Faculty Fellowship in Israel annually sponsors full-time U.S.-based University and college faculty members on a 10-day program in Israel. Each participant is paired with one or more Israeli professional counterparts in his/her field of study or research. The goal is to facilitate collaboration, shared research, and shared teaching concepts and values, which the participants and their Israeli counterparts can introduce to their respective campuses at the close of the program. The program transcends the current conflicts and demonstrates to the participants how Israel makes the world a better place.
2019-20 Funding: $487,500
2020-21 Funding: $500,000
Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI-JNF)
Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI-JNF) is a pluralistic, college-prep, international semester-study abroad program for high school students where the land of Israel is a living classroom.
AMHSI Impact Fund
The Impact Fund is a merit based fellowship grant offered to exceptional high school students of diverse backgrounds who demonstrate leadership qualities, academic achievement and potential to be a future Jewish community leader and activist.
2019-20 Funding: $250,000
2020-21 Funding: $250,000
AMHSI Scholarship Fund
AMHSI-JNF’s National Scholarship Fund is a vital source of financial support to our need-based families and their children, our future.
2019-20 Funding: $250,000
2020-21 Funding: $400,000
Caravan for Democracy
Caravan for Democracy Student Leadership Mission is a 10-day, all-expenses paid, educational program to Israel geared towards non-Jewish student leaders who have never been to Israel before. This program provides the opportunity to explore Israel through meetings with political, cultural and community leaders from all backgrounds and faiths.
2019-20 Funding: $300,000
2020-21 Funding: $300,000