APPLICATION CRITERIA

Menorah Heritage Foundation Funding Guidelines:

The Menorah Heritage Foundation is guided by the following principles in awarding grants:

• Perpetuate the Jewish Community

• Anticipate and adapt to changing needs

• Invest in transformational change

• Address critical/severe needs

• Support meaningful programs that benefit the Greater Kansas City Community

The Menorah Heritage Foundation does NOT typically make grants for the following:

• Lobbying, propaganda, or other attempts to influence legislation

• Sectarian purposes (programs that promote or require a religious doctrine)

• Capital campaigns

• Fundraising events, including sponsorship, tickets, and advertising

• Individual scholarship support

• Deficit funding

• Endowment support or multi-year commitments

The Menorah Heritage Foundation seeks to support organizations who:

• Maintain a history of compassion and excellence

• Address the needs and represent the interests and viewpoints of their clients

• Possess the leadership, management, efficiencies and resources necessary to achieve the organizational objectives

• Collaborate with other providers whenever feasible and appropriate

• Establish financial stability and present a sense of awareness regarding the details of operations

Eligibility: Applicant organizations must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Tax Status: Eligible organizations must have been determined to have 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service, and if this organization is a foundation, that it has been determined to be a non-private foundation.

2. Geographic Parameters: Eligible organizations must maintain ongoing operations, including staffing and programs, within the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, defined as Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas, and Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte Counties in Missouri. All funded services/programs are designed and carried out for the benefit of a target population living in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. Any exception to this geographic limitation is rare must be requested and approved by MHF prior to submission of any grant.

3. Non-Discrimination Requirement: Menorah Heritage Foundation is guided by Jewish tradition and the belief that every act of goodness — every mitzvah (good deed) commanded by the Torah — contributes to tikkun olam, the ultimate repair of the world.  As such, we are committed to ensuring that the organizations and grants we support share similar values of building a more just world. Organizations we fund represent that they, and the funds used from our grants, do not promote hate or antisemitism.   Two definitions being used widely are the IHRA working definition of antisemitism and the Jerusalem Declaration.  Organizations funded by MHF also may not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, veteran or disability status. By applying, your organization warrants that it has in place policies and procedures to ensure that you understand our policy and grant funds will not be used to negatively affect the actual and perceived safety and wellbeing of staff, clients, community partners and others and that your board of directors/trustees and staff are committed to such principles.

4. Applications Submission: Eligible applications are only accepted when submitted through our online application software. Applications submitted through mail WILL NOT be accepted.

If you have a question, please contact us.

We want to ensure your organization is applying in the correct grant cycle, meets eligibility requirements, and understands our process.  The Menorah Heritage Foundation accepts only one grant request per organization per calendar year. Please contact MHF at least two weeks prior to submission deadlines if you are a new applicant, or are applying for a new program not previously funded. We want to ensure your organization is applying in the grant cycle that best fits your request.