Dorot Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,809,866 (2023)
• Grant Awards: Typically 60-75 grants made annually
• Average Grant Size: ~$62,500
• Decision Time: Two grant cycles annually for invited organisations
• Geographic Focus: United States (particularly Boston area) and Israel/Palestine
• Application Method: Invitation only - no unsolicited proposals accepted

Contact Details

Website: https://www.dorot.org/

Main Office: 10 Davol Square, Suite 100, Providence, RI 02903

Grantee Portal: bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com (for invited applicants only)

Note: Organisations must be invited to apply. Current grantees should contact their primary Dorot contact for assistance.

Overview

The Dorot Foundation was incorporated in 1958 in New York as the Joy and Samuel Ungerleider Foundation and was launched in its current form in 1972 by Joy Ungerleider-Myerson. Following her death in 1994, her daughter Jeane Ungerleider assumed the presidency and has led the foundation for three decades. The foundation operates from Providence, Rhode Island, and employs a staff of 10. The Dorot Foundation distributes approximately $4.8 million annually across grants to organisations working toward systemic social change. Grounded in Jewish values and a commitment to social justice, the foundation works to ensure that American Jews actively collaborate to address society's most persistent and entrenched disparities. The foundation supports organisations that challenge structural barriers and transform policies, practices, and cultures that perpetuate inequality, with particular emphasis on centring communities most affected by systemic racism.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The Dorot Foundation operates two primary initiatives:

Grantmaking Programme: Supports 60+ organisations across multiple issue areas with emphasis on unrestricted general operating support. The foundation makes multi-year unrestricted grants when possible, though occasionally provides project-specific grants when aligned with particular organisational work.

Dorot Fellowship in Israel (DFI): A ten-month fellowship providing young North American Jewish change-makers with leadership development opportunities while exploring Jewish identity and Israeli society. Fellows receive up to $6,000 toward their Personal Learning Programme and a $23,000 living stipend.

Programme Areas

The foundation focuses on three interconnected areas:

Boston Area Focus: Working toward a more just and equitable Boston, with particular emphasis on youth and young adults from historically marginalised communities helping them realise their fullest potential.

Israel/Palestine: Supporting organisations that strengthen foundational tenets of Israeli democracy and pursue a more just and equitable future for all Israelis and Palestinians. The foundation primarily supports informal education, cultural organisations with existing relationships, and organisations supporting adult education for democratic participation in Israel. The foundation supports groups espousing a two-state solution.

Jewish Social Justice: Ensuring American Jews actively collaborate to address persistent societal disparities, supporting organisations working across democracy, LGBTQ+ rights, Jewish cultural preservation, reproductive justice, and international humanitarian work.

Priority Areas

The Dorot Foundation prioritises organisations that:

• Address root causes of racial and social inequities through long-term systems change work
• Challenge structural barriers through advocacy, organising, coalition building, movement building, policy engagement, narrative change, field building, and direct services connected to systemic change
• Centre the people and communities most affected by structural inequities, including systemic racism
• Use integrated approaches recognising interconnected social forces
• Demonstrate commitment to feedback collection and continuous improvement
• Ground their work in evidence

Sample Grantees (FY25): A More Perfect Union, Adamah Inc., Alliance for Justice, Alliance for Youth Organizing, American Jewish World Service, Avodah, Bend the Arc, Boston After School & Beyond, College for Social Innovation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Zakim Center), Dayenu, Dorot Inc., Encounter, Friends of Israel Story, Groundswell, Hand in Hand, Hebrew College, Hebrew Free Loan Society, Hyde Square Task Force, Institute of Contemporary Art Boston, J Street Education Fund, Jerusalem Culture Unlimited, Jewish Book Council, Jewish Social Justice Roundtable, Jewish Women's Archive, JOIN for Justice, Keshet, La Colaborativa, Lawyers for Children, Multitude Films, New Israel Fund, Pack One Bag, Piper Fund, Pop Culture Collaborative, Project ALBI, T'ruah, Union for Reform Judaism, and UTEC.

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not publish a comprehensive exclusions list, they:

• Do not support groups active in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement
• Do not accept unsolicited proposals from organisations with which they do not have an existing relationship
• Are unlikely to support organisations that do not align with their commitment to both Jewish and Palestinian self-determination

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Jeane Ungerleider - President: Daughter of founder Joy Ungerleider-Myerson, Jeane has led the foundation since 1994, continuing the family's philanthropic legacy for three decades.

Michael Hill - Vice President

Sara E. Nathan - Board Director

Simeon Springer - Board Director

Steven C. Baum - Treasurer and Board Director

Staff Leadership (USA-Based)

Steve Jacobson - Executive Director: A lifelong educator of the American Jewish experience and former Senior Fellow at the Melton Center for Diaspora Jewish Education at Hebrew University. He served as Director of the Dorot Fellowship in Israel for two decades, developing innovative leadership curriculum. Based in Providence, RI.

Brauna Doidge - Associate Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer: Attorney specialising in organisational change management and infrastructure development. Manages finances, accounting, IT, and human resources.

Aaren Alpert - DFI Director: Holds BA and MA from American Jewish University. Graduate of Kivun (Schusterman Foundation) and M2 Senior Educators programmes. Alumna of Jeremiah Fellowship and previous Dorot Fellow. Based in Cleveland.

Jacob Levkowicz - Associate DFI Director: Previously Programme Officer at New Israel Fund managing New York programmes and fellowships. Shatil Social Justice Fellow and Dorot Fellow alumnus. Located in New York City.

Jessica Berndt - Operations Manager: Manages day-to-day finances, event planning, website administration, and alumni operations. Based in Rhode Island.

Israel-Based Team

Neil Harris - DFI Israel Director: Founded Kibbutz Tuval and served as IDF medic during First Lebanon War. Specialises in experiential education for social change, HIV/AIDS prevention, and Jewish-Palestinian dialogue.

Tiferet Bassel - DFI Israel Programme Director: Born to American immigrants in Jerusalem with MA in Cultural Studies from Hebrew University. Former Director of Yahel Social Change Fellowship.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grant proposals are by invitation only, and the Dorot Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals.

Organisations must be invited by the foundation to submit a grant application. The foundation identifies potential grantees through their existing relationships, networks, and strategic focus areas. Once invited, applicants access the online grantee portal at bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, they demonstrate a commitment to relationship building and identify potential grantees through:

• Existing Grantee Networks: The foundation appears to work closely with their current portfolio of 60+ grantees and may learn about new organisations through these trusted relationships and referrals
• Jewish Social Justice Community: Given their deep roots in Jewish social justice work, they are likely connected to networks such as the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable (which they fund) and other Jewish communal spaces
• Boston Area Connections: For organisations working in the Boston area, connections to their existing Boston-based grantees may provide visibility
• Israel/Palestine Networks: Organisations working in Israel/Palestine may come to their attention through their Israel-based staff and the Dorot Fellowship alumni network

The foundation's emphasis on "trusting relationships" with grantee partners suggests they value authentic connections over transactional interactions.

Decision Timeline

The Dorot Foundation operates two grant cycles per fiscal year for invited organisations. Specific timing for each cycle is communicated to invited applicants. The foundation does not publish decision timelines publicly, but information is available to current grantees through their funding timeline page.

Reapplication Policy

As an invitation-only funder, standard reapplication policies do not apply. Current grantees are typically invited to reapply, and the foundation's emphasis on multi-year unrestricted grants suggests they value long-term partnerships with organisations demonstrating strong alignment with their mission.

Application Success Factors

Since the Dorot Foundation uses an invitation-only model, success depends on alignment with their strategic priorities and relationship building rather than a traditional application process. However, organisations that receive invitations should note:

Emphasis on Unrestricted Support: The foundation states, "We intentionally minimise the burdensome requirements that disadvantage organisations at the forefront of justice work." This philosophy shapes their entire grantmaking approach. Organisations should be prepared to articulate their overall mission and impact rather than designing special projects for foundation funding.

Systems Change Focus: The foundation explicitly seeks organisations "addressing root causes of racial and social inequities through long-term systems change work." Organisations should clearly demonstrate how their work challenges structural barriers and transforms policies, practices, and cultures—not just addresses symptoms.

Centring Affected Communities: The foundation prioritises grantees that "centre the people and communities most affected by structural inequities, including systemic racism." Organisations should show how those most impacted by injustice are leading or meaningfully shaping the work.

Evidence-Based and Learning-Oriented: The foundation values organisations that "ground their work in evidence" and demonstrate "commitment to feedback collection for continuous improvement." Organisations should be able to articulate their theory of change and how they measure progress.

Integrated Approaches: The foundation seeks organisations using "integrated approaches recognising interconnected social forces." They understand that issues of justice are interconnected and value organisations that work across traditional silos.

Trust-Based Approach: The foundation has been recognised as an exemplar of trust-based philanthropy, with their grant agreements highlighted alongside other leading funders for minimising burden on grantees. Organisations can expect a respectful, partnership-oriented relationship rather than a hierarchical funder-grantee dynamic.

Jewish Values Connection: While the foundation supports secular social justice work, it is "grounded in Jewish commitment to social justice." Organisations need not be Jewish, but should understand and respect this foundational commitment.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only process: You cannot submit an unsolicited application. Focus on building visibility within Jewish social justice networks and connecting with current grantees rather than preparing applications.

• Unrestricted, multi-year support is the norm: The foundation prioritises general operating support over project grants. When invited, emphasise your organisation's overall mission, theory of change, and capacity rather than designing special projects.

• Systems change is essential: If your organisation primarily provides direct services without advocacy, organising, or policy components connected to systemic change, you are unlikely to be a fit for this foundation.

• Centre affected communities: The foundation explicitly prioritises work led by or meaningfully shaped by those most impacted by injustice. Be prepared to demonstrate authentic community leadership.

• Geographic focus matters: The foundation concentrates its U.S. grantmaking in the Boston area, with other grants focused on Israel/Palestine and national Jewish social justice initiatives. Organisations outside these areas are less likely to receive support.

• Long-term partnerships valued: With 60+ grantees receiving ongoing support and emphasis on multi-year grants, the foundation clearly values sustained relationships. If invited, understand you may be beginning a multi-year partnership.

• Alignment with Jewish values: While not limited to Jewish organisations, the foundation's work is deeply rooted in Jewish commitment to social justice. Organisations should demonstrate respect for and understanding of these values.

References

• Dorot Foundation Official Website
• Dorot Foundation Grantmaking Approach
• Dorot Foundation Grantees List
• Dorot Foundation Leadership and Staff
• Dorot Foundation About Page
• Dorot Foundation 990 Report - Instrumentl
• Dorot Foundation - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
• Dorot Foundation - InfluenceWatch
• Dorot Foundation - Grantmakers.io Profile
• Steve Jacobson Profile - Dorot Foundation
• Dorot Foundation Sample Grant Agreement - NCFP
• Trust-Based Philanthropy - Unrestricted Grant Agreements
• Dorot Foundation - Charity Navigator

All sources accessed December 2024.