Call for Applications: Tikkun Olam Grants

Jewish Helping Hands’ Tikkun Olam Grants support grassroots organizations and individuals addressing unmet needs and empowering marginalized communities in the United States and internationally. For the 2026/2027 cycle, priority areas include women’s empowerment, education, food, shelter, water, health, internet connectivity, and gender equity, with grants generally reaching up to $10,000. What Are the Tikkun Olam Grants? The Tikkun Olam Grants are an annual funding program established by Jewish Helping Hands (JHH) to support grassroots initiatives that address poverty, inequality, and unmet community needs. The program focuses on projects that help vulnerable and marginalized populations become more self-reliant and improve their quality of life. Since its establishment in 2012, the program has supported initiatives based on the values of tzedakah, justice, and social responsibility. For the 2026/2027 grant cycle, JHH is particularly interested in practical projects that provide essential services, promote empowerment, and create sustainable community-level impact. Grant Amount Eligible projects can generally receive up to $10,000. Projects outside these priority areas may still be considered when they strongly align with the program’s mission and demonstrate significant unmet needs. Who Is Eligible? The program is intended for grassroots organizations and individuals working directly with poor, vulnerable, or marginalized communities. Eligible applicants should demonstrate that their work: Addresses a significant unmet community need. Supports vulnerable or underserved populations. Promotes self-help, independence, or empowerment. Produces tangible community benefits. Has potential for sustainable or lasting impact. Preference is given to organizations with annual operating budgets below $750,000. Projects that could not realistically be implemented without grant support are also favored. What Types of Projects Are a Strong Fit? Strong applications are likely to focus on practical interventions that directly improve people’s lives.

Examples could include projects that:

Improve access to nutritious food. Provide essential health services. Support women’s economic or social empowerment. Expand educational opportunities for underserved populations. Improve access to clean water. Provide basic shelter or essential household needs. Expand internet connectivity for disadvantaged communities. Projects should clearly explain the problem, proposed solution, beneficiaries, expected results, and how the grant will create lasting value. Why It Matters Grassroots organizations often work directly with communities experiencing poverty, displacement, inequality, or limited access to essential services but may have difficulty securing flexible funding. The Tikkun Olam Grants are designed to help these smaller initiatives respond to those needs. The program places particular importance on sustainable and scalable solutions rather than short-term interventions alone. Projects that strengthen community capacity and enable people to become more self-sufficient can therefore be particularly relevant. What Does the Grant Not Fund? Applicants should carefully distinguish eligible project costs from activities excluded by Jewish Helping Hands.

Priority regions: East Africa, Central America, North America, Israel, and impoverished Jewish communities

Priority themes: Women’s empowerment, education, food, shelter, clothing, water, health, internet connectivity, and gender equity

Organizational preference: Organizations with operating budgets below $750,000

Focus: Unmet needs, empowerment, self-help, sustainability, and community impact

Frequently Asked Questions Who can apply for the Tikkun Olam Grants? Grassroots organizations and individuals working to address unmet needs among poor, vulnerable, or marginalized communities can apply, provided their projects align with the program’s priorities. How much funding is available? Projects are ordinarily eligible for grants of up to $10,000. The actual award may vary according to geographic location, local economic conditions, project needs, and available funding. What are the main priorities for the 2026/2027 cycle? Priority areas include women’s empowerment, education, food, shelter, clothing, water, health, internet connectivity, and gender equity. Does the program fund projects outside the United States? Yes. The program supports initiatives in the United States and internationally. Special geographic attention is given to East Africa, Central America, North America, Israel, and impoverished Jewish communities. Are large organizations eligible? Preference is given to organizations with total operating budgets of less than $750,000. Applicants should demonstrate that they are grassroots organizations with a direct connection to the communities they serve. What expenses are not eligible? The program does not fund capital campaigns, political activities, fellowships, scholarships, for-profit programs, or administrative salaries and overhead. What makes a project competitive? A competitive project should address a clearly documented unmet need, directly benefit marginalized or vulnerable people, demonstrate community empowerment, present realistic costs, and show potential for sustainable impact. Conclusion The Jewish Helping Hands Tikkun Olam Grants 2026/2027 provide flexible grassroots funding for initiatives addressing essential needs and empowering marginalized communities. With awards generally reaching up to $10,000, the program is particularly relevant to smaller organizations and individuals developing practical, sustainable solutions in areas such as education, health, food security, women’s empowerment, water access, and gender equity.