Vanderbilt University may submit one letter of intent to the 2021 Covenant Foundation Grants.
The Covenant Foundation invites applications for innovative programs in Jewish schools, community organizations and other institutional settings. These grants will provide funding to help creative Jewish educators develop and implement significant and financially responsible approaches to Jewish education that are potentially adaptable in other settings. Covenant Grants also may be awarded for projects whose purpose is to disseminate particularly effective existing programs.
Although there are two Covenant Grant categories, Ignition and Signature, Vanderbilt may submit only one letter of inquiry in only one grant category in any given year.
- Signature Grants do not typically exceed $150,000, with no more than $50,000 per year for up to three years. There is no minimum dollar amount associated with a Covenant Grant.
- Ignition Grants are designed to explore new, untested ideas or to determine how established practices can become even more effective. An Ignition Grant is appropriate for an exciting idea that is not yet ready for a multiyear Signature Grant, perhaps because it is still in the planning stage or because the organization needs time to develop necessary capacity and expertise. Any organization that receives an Ignition Grant may apply for a Covenant Signature Grant after submission of the final report. Applicants for Covenant Ignition Grants may request up to $20,000 for one year.
Previously funded projects have focused on history, music education and performance, art, community involvement, life coaching, religious study, language and culture, and many other themes.
Eligibility
The Covenant Foundation only funds programming in North America.
Covenant Grants will not be made to support feasibility studies, assessment studies or basic research in Jewish education, nor will The Covenant Foundation contribute to capital expansion projects, student scholarships or ongoing operating support.
The role of the project director is pivotal to the success of the grant. Each proposal must identify a project director who will supervise all aspects of the project throughout the grant period. The foundation makes a special investment in each project director by providing professional development and support. Signature Grant project directors should be prepared to attend a two-day meeting of project directors in February 2022 and each February thereafter for the duration of the grant. Project directors for all grants should expect to communicate with The Covenant Foundation throughout the grant period.
See the guidelines for more information.
Internal application instructions
Interested faculty should visit https://vanderbilt.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1833825 to apply for the internal LSO competition and to find additional information about the opportunity. The deadline for the internal competition is Feb. 12, 2021.
Any questions about these opportunities may be directed to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.