YALA Mini-Grant

Do you have an idea for a Jewish program? Are you looking for guidance and support with getting a new project off the ground? Do you want to start something special, but just don’t have the resources? The YALA Mini-Grant program supports new Jewish ideas and helps you incubate your project, with financial resources, promotion, and other support as needed.

 

  • • Young adults (ages 21-40) in the Twin Cities area are eligible to apply.
  • • The maximum award amount is $2,500. Please inform us of any extenuating circumstances should your project require additional funding.
  • • Awards must be spent within 18 months of award date. If the award is not spent by this deadline, YALA reserves the right to direct the funding back to the YALA Mini-Grant pool. Please inform us of any extenuating circumstances.
  • • Recipients are required to complete a report at the culmination of the grant activity. This report includes testimonials and photographs.
  • • YALA Twin Cities and the Federation reserve the right to use testimonials and photographs in promotion of YALA Mini-Grants and the Federation’s community impact programming.

 

YALA Mini-Grants are powered by Young Adult Leadership Action (YALA) Twin Cities, the young adult program of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation and St. Paul Jewish Federation. The generosity of Federation donors makes this program possible. To support the Federation’s work, please consider a donation to the community campaign of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation or St. Paul Jewish Federation.

Apply for a YALA Mini-Grant!

Any questions? Contact Gabe Herstig at gherstig@jewishtwincities.org.

Learn more about some of the passion projects YALA has brought to life!

Existing YALA Mini-Grant Initiatives

Heritage Judaica

Heritage Judaica, a project by Adam Schwartz, is a free Judaica clearinghouse connecting those with excess Judaica to those who are seeking ritual objects to add to their home and practice.

Free Yiddish Folk Songs

Free Yiddish Folk Songs (Liderbukh), a project by Masha Trius, transcribes Yiddish folk music into a machine-readable digital format and provides quality scores for free.

#ShareShabbat

#ShareShabbat, a project by Giti Fredman, is a communal challenge to host someone new (or perhaps host your first Shabbat dinner!) with the support of prep courses, meal planning, and a community of peers behind you.

Drink Tank

Drink Tank, a project by Greg Arenson, is a series of “think tanks” over drinks, whether coffee, tea, or beer, for young adults in a casual environment to understand what peers are seeking from their Jewish life or engagement.

Global Justice Passover Seder

Global Justice Passover Seder, a project by Haylee Saxon, builds community and education on global justice advocacy and rights during the week of Passover.

Women's Shared Shabbat

Women’s Shared Shabbat, a project by Brittany Willis, connects women to one another as well as the local Jewish community by bringing them together through the shared experience of Shabbat.

Rosh Chodesh Well Circles

Rosh Chodesh Well Circles, a project by Lucy Marshall, invites young Jewish womxn & nonbinary folks, ages ~23-36, to build strong relationships, reignite Jewish wisdom, and create a loving community based in ancient (yet innovative) Jewish ritual. Well circles are inspired by Rosh Chodesh, the ancient Jewish ritual in which women traditionally gather to mark the new moon/ first day of each Hebrew month.

Inclusive Employer and Employee Video

Inclusive Employer and Employee Video, a project by Nicole Rabinowitz Edwards, features local employers and Jewish individuals with disabilities who are seeking meaningful employment.

Multiracial Jewish Association of MN

Multiracial Jewish Association of Minnesota (MJA), a project by Rafi Forbush, will support, uplift and advocate for the multiracial Jewish community of Minnesota, including black, indigenous, Asian, Latinx, Sephardi, Mizrachi, and multiracial or interracial families who identify as Jewish. MJA will build connections across racial identities and within the broader local Jewish community. MJA will advocate for our collective place and purpose. MJA will educate organizations, leaders, and allies in how to better support our unique community as part of the collective Jewish identity.

Jewish Outdoor Adventure

Jewish Outdoor Adventure (JOA), a project by Andy Stone, brings Judaism and the outdoors together. JOA fosters community through group trips and equipment rental available to individuals who incorporate Jewish learning into their outdoor exploration.

More YALA Mini-Grant Initiatives

Russian-American Jews in Minnesota Projects
Folk Will Save Us Podcast
Behind the Veil Art Exhibit

This grant is made possible through funding from both the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Jewish Federations. The Minneapolis Jewish Federation funds were provided to inspire and encourage innovative “Young Adult Engagement” grants. The Jewish Federation of Greater St. Paul’s Community Planning Funds were established to address priorities identified by the St. Paul Jewish community. In particular, to Inspire Giving by engaging and empowering younger givers.