Kaplun Foundation Youth Board Grants

The Morris J. & Betty Kaplun Foundation Youth Board offers grants up to $5,000 for nonprofit organizations aligned with their mission areas. This initiative, started in 2019, empowers high school and college students to engage in Jewish philanthropy through grant making. Eligible organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and an annual budget under $3 million. Religious entities may apply only for projects distinct from religious activities. Each year, a new cohort decides on funding distribution.

Two separate cohorts of the Morris J. & Betty Kaplun Foundation Youth Board invite eligible nonprofit organizations to submit grant proposals for their Winter grant cycles. Each of the two Youth Board cohorts will award up to $5,000 in grant money to one or more organizations doing work in the mission areas they identified.
The Youth Board is an initiative of the Morris J. & Betty Kaplun Foundation. Established in 2019, it gives high school and first-year college students an opportunity to learn about concepts of Jewish philanthropy, explore Jewish values, dive into grant making, and review and analyze grant proposals during a series of online board meetings over a school year.
Each year, a new youth board develops its mission statement, issues a Request for Proposals and determines how to distribute a total of $5,000 of the Foundation’s funds to one or more nonprofit organizations.

Eligibility

Must be a non-profit organization with a 501(c)3 status or international equivalent, able to accept funds in accordance with IRS rules.Should have an annual budget of less than $3 million. The Youth Board may consider proposals from larger organizations for distinct projects or divisions with smaller budgets.

Ineligibility

Religious congregations (synagogues, churches, Hillels, etc.) should not apply, unless for a project that is aligned with the board’s mission and distinct from any religious activities or programming.