Paths to Leadership Grant: Encouraging Young People in Jewish Communal Life

The Paths to Leadership Grant supports programmes that help young people transition into leadership roles within Jewish communities. It funds initiatives that identify, nurture, and equip emerging leaders with Jewish knowledge, leadership skills, and communal responsibility, strengthening the future leadership pipeline of Jewish communal life.

Overview of the Grant

The Paths to Leadership Grant provides targeted funding for programmes designed to encourage and support young people in taking on leadership roles within Jewish communities.

Jewish communal life depends on skilled professionals and committed lay leaders. However, many communities face a leadership gap, where former youth leaders and student activists disengage before transitioning into adult communal leadership. This grant directly addresses that challenge by supporting initiatives that build a clear pathway from youth engagement to long-term communal leadership.

Purpose and Strategic Focus

The core purpose of the grant is to create a sustainable leadership pipeline within Jewish communities.

Funded programmes are expected to help young people move from informal or student leadership into meaningful professional or volunteer leadership roles. The focus is on empowering participants with the skills, confidence, Jewish knowledge, and communal understanding needed to contribute actively to Jewish life.

Key objectives include leadership development, community engagement, education, and strengthening organisational capacity across Jewish communal institutions.

Why This Grant Matters

Without intentional leadership development, Jewish communities risk losing talented young people at a critical stage of their development.

This grant matters because it:

• Strengthens long-term Jewish communal leadership capacity

• Retains and empowers former youth and student leaders

• Builds confidence, skills, and Jewish knowledge among emerging leaders

• Ensures continuity in professional and volunteer leadership roles

• Supports positive Jewish life, learning, and community engagement

By investing in young leaders, the grant supports resilient and future-ready Jewish communities.

What Types of Projects Are Supported

The grant supports new strategies, programmes, or projects that identify and nurture emerging Jewish leaders.

Eligible projects may include:

• Leadership training programmes for young adults

• Cohort-based leadership development initiatives

• Mentorship and coaching schemes

• Jewish learning integrated with leadership practice

• Peer learning and cross-organisational leadership networks

Projects may be entirely new or enhancements to existing programmes, provided the proposal clearly demonstrates added value and new activities.

Who Is Eligible to Apply

Eligible applicants must be non-profit organisations operating on a not-for-profit basis.

Applicants may include:

• Jewish communal organisations

• Educational or leadership-focused non-profits

• Youth, student, or young adult organisations

Geographic eligibility includes organisations based in Europe, including both EU and non-EU countries, excluding Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus.

UK-based applicants must provide proof of charitable status under UK charity law.

Funding Amount and Duration

Organisations may apply for:

• £10,000 to £40,000 per year

• Funding for up to two years

• Coverage of up to 70% of the total project budget

Applications requesting more than 70% of total costs will not be considered.

Eligible Costs and Activities

Funding may be used to support a wide range of programme-related expenses.

Eligible costs include:

• Staff time, including programme coordinators, teachers, mentors, and tutors

• Professional expertise such as leadership consultants or Jewish educators

• Group learning activities, including Shabbatonim and retreats

• Volunteering initiatives and community engagement activities

• Field visits, peer learning, and leadership shadowing schemes

• Travel and accommodation related to programme activities

• Seed funding for participant-led communal engagement projects

Budgets must clearly demonstrate how funds contribute to leadership development and Jewish learning outcomes.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a proposal that clearly outlines the leadership development approach and intended outcomes.

A strong application should include:

1. A clear explanation of the leadership challenge being addressed

2. The target group and participant profile

3. The skills, knowledge, and attitudes participants will develop

4. Programme structure, activities, and learning methods

5. How Jewish knowledge and values are integrated into the programme

6. A detailed and justified budget

7. An explanation of sustainability and long-term impact

For existing programmes, applications must clearly show how requested funds support new or enhanced activities rather than ongoing operations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following common issues:

• Requesting more than 70% of the total project budget

• Submitting vague leadership outcomes without clear development pathways

• Failing to demonstrate Jewish learning or content integration

• Presenting existing programmes without meaningful new elements

• Providing unclear or poorly justified budgets

Clear objectives, structured leadership pathways, and strong alignment with grant priorities are essential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the main goal of the Paths to Leadership Grant?

The grant aims to support programmes that help young people transition into leadership roles within Jewish communities.

Who can apply for this funding?

Non-profit Jewish organisations based in eligible European countries, including the UK, may apply.

How much funding is available?

Applicants can request between £10,000 and £40,000 per year for up to two years.

What percentage of project costs does the grant cover?

The grant covers up to 70% of the total project budget.

Can existing programmes apply?

Yes, existing programmes are eligible if the proposal clearly outlines new or enhanced activities.

What types of expenses are eligible?

Eligible expenses include staff costs, expert fees, group activities, travel, mentoring, and seed funding for participant-led projects.

Does the programme need a Jewish learning component?

Yes, proposals must demonstrate how Jewish knowledge, values, or education are embedded in leadership development.

Conclusion

The Paths to Leadership Grant is a strategic investment in the future of Jewish communal life. By supporting programmes that nurture emerging leaders and bridge the gap between youth engagement and adult leadership, the grant strengthens communities, builds capacity, and ensures a vibrant and sustainable Jewish leadership ecosystem for generations to come.