Statement on Natan's Grantmaking Strategy for 2009

for public release
approved January 25, 2009

Natan believes strongly in the power of innovative ideas to transform and strengthen the Jewish people. The current economic crisis only strengthens Natan's commitment to supporting ideas that are creating the Jewish future. Therefore, Natan's grantmaking strategy will remain largely unchanged in 2009.

Natan will continue to focus on supporting innovation in the North American Jewish community and in Israel by making grants to organizations with annual operating budgets of $1.5 million or less (with some exceptions for Core Grantees).

Natan will continue to accept applications from startups and from organizations that it has not previously funded. Natan will continue to be willing to take risks on new ideas; to provide operating support, program support, and/or capacity building services to grantees; and to offer other assistance to grantees beyond financial support.

With some small changes (indicated by *), Natan will be making grants in the same five program areas as in 2008:

• Advancing Inclusiveness in the North American Jewish Community
• Economic Development in Israel
• Economic Empowerment of Jews in North America (* name change from Economic Empowerment of Jews in the Diaspora; now focusing on North America only)
• Emergent Jewish Communities in North America and Israel
• Jewish Peoplehood (* name change from Israel-Diaspora Relations; with some changes to the types of organizations that are eligible to apply)

Natan will also continue to offer Core Grants to longtime grantees whose work is central to Natan's grantmaking mission, and whom we believe represent the best in Jewish innovation.

Finally, Natan is developing a special grantmaking fund for social entrepreneurs in partnership with another organization, details of which will be announced in mid-2009.