The Genesis Prize Foundation (GPF) and the Jewish Funders Network (JFN) on Monday launched “Breaking Barriers,” a matching grant program in honor of 2016 Genesis Prize Laureate Itzhak Perlman. The initiative aims to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of Jewish communal life, echoing Perlman’s lifelong dedication to breaking barriers and creating a society which is inclusive for people of all abilities.
Itzhak Perlman received the $1 million Genesis Prize on June 22, in Jerusalem, for his outstanding achievement as one of the most preeminent classical musicians in the world and for his unceasing dedication to improving the quality of life and opportunities available to people with disabilities. Michael Douglas was the 2015 Genesis Prize Laureate and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg was the Inaugural Laureate in 2014.
Perlman agreed that his prize money be used to promote inclusion and breaking barriers in both North America and Israel. In Israel, an additional $500,000 will be dispersed through grants from Matan-United Way Israel. In North America, a $1 million fund was created by Roman Abramovich. This combined approach will generate more than $3 million in new donations.
Itzhak Perlman said he was “honored to be part of ‘Breaking Barriers,’ and to have the opportunity to encourage other funders to join this critical initiative so that each person, regardless of his or her abilities, will have the opportunity to maximize their potential and to participate as full members of the community. This is a great opportunity to open more doors and accept all who choose to enter.”
Stan Polovets, Co-founder and Chairman of the Genesis Prize Foundation noted that “once again, the Genesis Prize has the honor of celebrating the achievements of an individual who, through his passion and dedication to Jewish values, desires to improve the lives of others.”
Andrés Spokoiny, President & CEO of JFN, said “JFN is thrilled to continue bringing inclusion of people with disabilities to the forefront of the Jewish philanthropic agenda. Jews of all abilities are the community’s constituents. Proactive inclusion of people with disabilities has to be incorporated into the planning and execution of everything we do. This matching grant initiative will move us further in that direction.”
This is the second matching grant collaboration between the Genesis Prize Foundation and Jewish Funders Network, following the 2015 Avenues to Jewish Engagement for Intermarried Couples and their Families, established in honor of the 2015 Genesis Prize Laureate Michael Douglas, which generated $3.3 million in new funds.
Grants in the US or Canada of $25,000 to $75,000 will be matched dollar for dollar. An organization whose primary mission is to serve people with disabilities may receive grants for general operating support. Organizations with a broader mission may receive project support. Priority will be given to organizations that seek to create lasting, systemic change. All information about the matching grants fund, including eligibility criteria, the submission process, and the application itself, is available on the matching grant website.
