Causes

Philanthropy & capacity building Community & economic development

Posted by

Tessa Z.

Director of Next Gen Initiatives

Our mission

Australian Jewish Funders (AJF) is the network of Jewish donors inspiring effective philanthropy and strengthening community. AJF's mission is to lead and collaborate at the individual and collective levels to improve the quality of giving, encourage Jewish innovation and maximise impact.

LaunchPad is a platform for Jewish community innovation developed by AJF creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, activism and collaboration. LaunchPad's mission is to inspire change-makers and philanthropists from across generations, backgrounds and experiences, to connect, think, create and lead, to build a thriving and sustainable Jewish community.

Together, AJF and LaunchPad are in the unique position to develop creative collaborations; amongst funders, between funders, community activists and for-purpose communal organisations.

What we do

Driven by Jewish values, the AJF aims to provide a space to enhance and nurture strategic philanthropy, explore philanthropic best practice and encourage innovation amongst like-minded funders, inspiring members to have a greater impact on the Jewish community, wider Australian society and the world.

AJF have developed strong connections with visionary philanthropic and communal leaders globally. These partnerships support our mission, expand our reach and empower our network. Through innovation, collaboration and leadership, we facilitate bold, meaningful programs and opportunities for donors, activists and for-purpose organisations.

LaunchPad:
Infused with Jewish wisdom and a collaborative mindset, LaunchPad creates opportunities for entrepreneurship, activism and collaboration to reimagine what is possible for engagement and connection in Jewish life.

LaunchPad Leadership:
LaunchPad Leadership is an online program that empowers leaders of Australian Jewish for-purpose organisations with the skills and resources to lead their organisations through change. Blending Jewish values with technical skills and leadership theory with experiential learning, the program is designed to nurture and develop a cohort of empowered leaders.

LaunchPad Retreat:
The annual LaunchPad 3-day, immersive retreat brings together Jewish leaders and activists from across Australia to think big about what's possible for the Jewish community and then make things happen. It is a gateway to connect with like-minded community members to build groundbreaking, meaningful Jewish initiatives.

LaunchPad Hub:
The LaunchPad Hub in Melbourne is Australia's first co-working space for Jewish community. Co-workers are made up of for-profit businesses and for-purpose communal organisations working within and outside the Jewish community. Being part of the LaunchPad Hub allows co-workers to network and collaborate with Jewish organisations and a multitude of events on offer each month.

LaunchPad Co-Labs:
Collaborative working groups to bring our two networks of funders (AJF
members) and activists (LaunchPad alumni) together with communal for-purpose organisations for greater impact. We have successfully launched three Co-Labs: LaunchPad's Holocaust Regeneration Co-Lab, LaunchPad's Inclusion Co-Lab and LaunchPad's Food Distribution Co-Lab.

The Jewish Teen Giving Initiative:
Empowers a diverse group of year 9 students by enabling them to engage with the real-life application of Tikkun Olam and Tzedakah. Over the course of a year, participants explore the changes they wish to see in the world and learn the tools of philanthropy and grant-making to enable incredible grassroots initiatives of their choosing.