NEI Microgrants (NextGen Engagement Initiative)

NEI Microgrants (NextGen Engagement Initiative) is sponsored by Jewish Federation Council of Greater LA. Provides small grants for collaborative programs designed to engage Jewish young adults in Los Angeles, focusing on innovative and meaningful engagement of young adults (20s and 30s).

Small Grants + Collaborative Programs = Impact: NEI Microgrants - Jewish Federation Los Angeles Sharing the Joy of Summer, Together Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month this May!

Jewish American Heritage Month Posters Jewish California Governor 2026 Candidate Forum Introducing Our New Chair of the Board, Daniel Gryczman That is not a valid email address Small Grants + Collaborative Programs = Impact: NEI Microgrants When you first hear the name “NextGen Engagement Initiative” you might assume that this program is like many other community programs designed to engage Jewish young adults – involving massive parties, or gatherings around Jewish food, holidays and culture.

But NEI is something different. It operates on a more “micro” level, strengthening a population that’s classically underserved – Jewish professionals who are working in smaller community organizations to engage L. A.

Jews in their 20s and 30s. Through NEI , a partnership between Jewish Federation Los Angeles and the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles through their Cutting Edge grants program, our Federation convenes a network that meets regularly – in-person and virtually – for peer support, expert guidance and professional development. Part of this small-but-mighty program is the NEI Microgrants initiative.

Running since 2009, NEI Microgrants have provided small grants ($1-5K) for programs ranging from Chanukah parties to a food justice lecture series. Only NEI network members in-good-standing are permitted to apply, and programs must represent collaborations or partnerships between two or more NEI network organizations.

(Once that requirement is met, the program’s partners may, and are encouraged to, collaborate with organizations outside the network.)

NEI Microgrants are sponsoring the following programs in 2013: Artists’ Community Retreat (LimmudLA, partnering with Six Points Fellowship, East Side Jews, Silverlake Independent JCC, NuArt, JQ International and Reboot) – A retreat on the East Side of Los Angeles to gather those who are involved in Jewish arts and culture work for networking and focused discussion.

(held January 2013) SEDER Art Microgrant Initiative (NuArt, Federation’s Birthright Israel Experience, and others TBD) – A meal-based initiative committed to creating a path for rethinking how contemporary Jewish art and culture is financed and experienced communally.

Participants come for a meal and presentations by Jewish artists, vote on their favorites, and the winning artist receives a microgrant of funds generated by the admission price. Shul Crawl (Silverlake Independent JCC/East Side Jews and 9 local synagogues) – A series of organized outings to different area synagogues. Participants will also be provided with a specially-designed program packet of materials about Jewish customs.

LGBT and Ally Birthright Trip, Summer 2013 (JQ International and Birthright Israel) – The first Federation-sponsored Birthright Israel trip designed for GLBTQ and allies. This grant supports targeted marketing and student internships to recruit for and to promote the trip.

Jewish Film Festival (Sinai Temple-ATID and American Friends of Tel Aviv University) – Programming at the Jewish Film Festival targeting young adults, including a special workshop with invited industry speakers.

The message of the NEI Microgrants initiative, as well as the NEI network as a whole, is that we are stronger together than we are independently, and that each individual in this crowd of professionals has wisdom and experience to share that can strengthen individual and collective efforts and help us work through our challenges.

By knowing each others’ faces, projects and passions, we are inspired to collaborate and feel the support of community. NEI is part of The Jewish Federation’s commitment to engaging young adults in ways that are relevant, innovative and meaningful. If you are a Jewish professional whose work centers on 20s and 30s engagement in Los Angeles and would like to learn more about NEI, contact NEI@JewishLA.

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A. Jews , LA Jews , NEI Microgrants , NEI network , NextGen Engagement Initiative , professional development , Small Grants Sharing the Joy of Summer, Together The air starting to warm and traffic patterns changing can only mean one thing — schools are getting out, and summer is upon us. Many of us want more time […] Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month this May!

Each May, we proudly celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), which honors the vibrancy, resilience, and enduring contributions of Jewish Americans through community-building citywide programming that spotlights the cultural, civic, and […] Help Us Support Those In Need Give to JFEDLA and help millions of people live better lives.