By Amy Hyman

Every year, Shalom Austin allocates approximately 10% of its unrestricted Annual Campaign along with an endowment distribution from the Jewish Community Innovation Fund at the Shalom Austin Jewish Foundation to community partners. For the first time ever, the Shalom Austin Board of Directors identified core partners of the organization, representing historical relationships and acknowledgment of sustained commitment to Shalom Austin’s vision and mission of inspiring Jewish journeys. Identified core partners include Austin Jewish Academy, ADL Austin, Tamim Academy, Texas Hillel, The Hillel at Texas A&M and UT Chabad Student Center.

The Grants Committee, co-chaired by Barb Altman and Ilana Nesher with Carly Sansom as incoming co-chair, oversaw the allocation of impact grants for programmatic support of community organizations. Committee members included Bruce Corman, Robyn Croft, Mitch Davis, Adam Helsinger, Lynne Kurtz-Citrin, Adam Meltzer, Steve Meyers, Alex Robinson, Tori Smith, and Harry Zimmerman.

The impact grants aim to support programs serving Greater Austin and Central Texas and support existing programs or seed funding for new programs. Additionally, criteria included alignment with Shalom Austin’s new strategic plan with particular focus on engagement of populations that are underserved or have gaps in program offerings.

During the evening of presentations, all impact grant applicants were invited to stay and listen to all grant requests, rather than only attending for their own time allotment. Shalom Austin is committed to serving in a convening role for the community, fostering relationships and a collaborative spirit amongst other partner organizations and synagogues.

The 2024 cycle announcements will be available in late 2023. For more information on the grants process in general, contact Amy Hyman at amy.hyman@shalomaustin.org or (512) 735-8078.