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.
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.
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
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.
Outside Grantees (Past and Present)
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.
Funding: $2,000,000 over 4 years, 2015-2019
Jerusalem U is the leading producer and distributor of film education about Israel and Judaism, connecting Jewish young adults and communities to their heritage by providing them with the knowledge and tools to step up for Israel. Jerusalem U aims to cultivate the formal partnership with the Jewish National Fund and the Boruchin Fund will enable Jerusalem U to take Israel education to the next level, helping cultivate the next generation of committed leaders in the pro-Israel and Jewish community of North America and the Jewish People.
Funding: $600,000 over 2 years, 2016-2018
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.
Funding: $330,875 over 2 years, 2016-2018
The David Project increases pro-Israel sentiment on campus by engaging non-Jewish students as well as Jewish student leaders and their communities with Israel. The David Project works on campuses across the US coordinating, recruiting, and training Israel advocates to work in outreach teams and engage influential student groups, such as student government, minority student associations, social issue based clubs, fraternities and sororities, religious organizations, ROTC, and campus media.
Funding: $100,000 over 1 year, 2016-2017
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.
Funding: $1,050,000 for 3 years, 2015-2018
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 Educators and Administrators Institute
The institute’s goal is to engage and recruit Jewish high school students from the public HS sector through their educators, school administrators, and guidance counselors who will visit AMHSI, return with a deeper understanding of the school and program, and help to recruit students to participate in a life-changing educational experience in Israel.
Funding: $150,000 over 3 years, 2015-2018
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.
Funding: $750,000 over 3 years, 2015-2018
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.
Funding: $300,000 over 3 years, 2015-2018
The Day School Scholarship Fund
The JNF Boruchin Center has awarded a matching fund grant to Alexander Muss High School in Israel to fund scholarships for those students attending Jewish Day Schools with programs participating at Muss, who would otherwise not be able to attend. This will enable as many children as possible to join their day school cohort in participation in their school program at AMHSI and ensure that children whose parents cannot afford both Day School and AMHSI will not miss out on this important experience.
Funding: $100,000 over 3 years, 2015-2018
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.
Funding: $650,000 over 4 years, 2015-2019
Boruchin Teen Initiative
The Boruchin 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.