FAQs

What do you mean by “new media”?^

Digital media and interactivity. While many projects could include digital media, what makes it “new media” is that the technology is digital, the user can access it on-demand, and the user has interactive engagement with the content.

What do you mean by “innovation”?^

An idea that hasn’t seen before, at least not in the Jewish world. But beyond just being a “new” idea, what makes innovation is the adoption and diffusion of a new practice or product, and the change that accompanies it.

How much should I request?^

In both categories, proposals for funds at the upper end of the range will likely involve significant technological adaption, may involve creating new code or re-purposing an existing platform, and will have digital content costs that justify a larger budget. Or they may include significant marketing and outreach costs to take an existing idea to a larger scale. Proposals and funding requests will be reviewed by both content and technology experts, and we discourage any inflating of actual need.

I have already created the technology for my project, but I need some funding for my marketing and outreach plan. Can I apply for a grant?^

Yes. As long as your project meets the eligibility requirements and satisfies our criteria, the Jewish New Media Innovation Fund invites projects that might need the extra dollars to take their idea to the next level.

I’m an individual working at a big traditional organization. Am I eligible to apply, separate from my employer?^

As long as your project meets the eligibility and criteria, the Fund invites individuals, nonprofit organizations, social enterprises and for-profit entities to apply.

My organization wants to build a website. Is this a good example of what you are looking to fund?^

The Fund would consider funding part of such a website if there was something particularly innovative and interactive about it, and the idea fits within the eligibility and criteria. The Fund would not be interested in funding an interactive events calendar or a podcast of the rabbi’s sermons, for example.

I want to start a blog. Is this a good example of what you are looking to fund?^

No. The Fund is designed to spur inventions and innovations that use new technologies to interact with new audiences.

I don’t have any other sources for project funding. Would you consider my project?^

To be eligible, projects must be publicly launched by February 2012. The Fund is designed so that you can completely or almost completely finish fundraising for your idea. That may mean the Fund is the “closing” money for your project, or in certain cases the entire funding for your project.

My project is a $500,000 project and I need another $100,000 to close it. Am I eligible?^

To be eligible, projects must be publicly launched by February 2012. The Fund is designed so that you can completely or almost completely finish fundraising for your idea. That may mean the Fund is the “closing” money for your project, or in certain cases the entire funding for your project.

My project is a documentary using digital film. Am I eligible?^

No. The focus of the the Fund is to use digital technologies for interaction among users. A documentary would not fit that description.

My idea is a computer game. Are we eligible?^

Yes. As long as the elements of the game meet the eligibility and criteria requirements, the Fund would welcome applications that seek to develop games.

Open licensing? What does that mean?^

The Fund values accessibility and openness so that others may enhance, re-purpose, or re-distribute your project after your grant period is complete. We’ll give priority to projects that use an open license when appropriate.

Please see more at Creative Commons.

Donate back back a percentage of profits? What does that mean?^

If your project makes a profit (and we’d be delighted if it does), then we believe that a portion of the profits should be shared with the Fund so that other innovators may benefit from them. To satisfy the criteria of being “willing to donate back to the Fund a percentage of profits,” we will ask that profit-earning-projects donate a percentage of their profits back to the Fund. That percentage will be based on the grant’s proportion of the project’s entire budget, and would not exceed the total amount of the grant. So for example, let’s say you received a $50,000 grant that was 50% of the entire project budget. If your project netted $45,000, we would not ask for a donation. If your project netted $55,000, we would ask that you donate $2,500. If it netted $1 million, we would ask for $50,000.

My organization has two different projects. Can my organization apply twice?^

Yes. The Fund will accept multiple applications from the same organization if they are for different for projects. The organization would have to complete a separate and specific application for each project.

How can you ensure confidentially of my business plan?^

We will ask that the readers and advisory group members keep all proposal materials confidential.  Note that we’re not having any decision-makers sign any non-disclosure agreements.

I live outside the US but my project will benefit Jews in the US.  Am I eligible to apply?^

Yes, we can make a grant outside the US, but to align with our criteria your project must benefit American Jews.

My project benefits Jews worldwide, and after all, we’re all interconnected and parts of a whole.  Am I eligible to apply?^

The work does need to focus on Jewish life in the US.  You would need to make a strong case for how your project focuses on American Jews.  You’d also need to target the funds only for the American Jewish reach.