Ignition Grants

A More Perfect Union is proud to offer Ignition Grants to help our partners revitalize their communities through democratic participation.

This year, we are excited to award $1,000 to any organization in the Jewish Partnership for Democracy leading efforts to spark civic renewal in their communities.

Applications will open in Late October.

  • As we relaunch the Jewish Partnership for Democracy for a new, more impactful era, this year’s Ignition Grants will support Jewish organizations building civic knowledge and skills, strengthening civic relationships, and taking civic action.

    To qualify for an Ignition Grant, an organization must be a Civic Renewal Partner in the Jewish Partnership for Democracy:

    • Already a Civic Renewal Partner? Read on!

    • Are you a Community Partner? Become a Civic Renewal Partner for free today!

    • Not a partner yet? Join for free today!

  • October 29 - December 19

    • October 29: Ignition Grant applications open

    • October 29 - December 5: Ignition Grant applications accepted

    • December 5: Ignition Grant applications closed

    • December 12: Applicants notified about funding decisions

    • December 19: Ignition Grants released

    • December 19, 2026: Funded projects conclude; concise report forms and Steal This! forms due

  • We are thrilled to provide a meaningful amount of funding to this effort and hope to be able to support every partner that requests a grant. However, depending on the demand, we may not be able to fund every proposal. To ensure the fairest possible process for all our partners, all proposals that meet our eligibility criteria will be awarded on a rolling basis as long as funds are available.

    A More Perfect Union will consider funding proposals that meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

    • Applicants are Civic Renewal Partners in the Jewish Partnership for Democracy.

    • The proposal adheres to the Civic Renewal Initiative Details outlined on this page.

    • Recipients of previous Ignition Grants have completed the terms of those grants.

    • After the project concludes, grantees will:

      • Submit a concise report to A More Perfect Union 

      • Turn the initiative into a playbook to help other partners in the JPD learn from your efforts. (A More Perfect Union will provide a simple template for you to use.)

Civic Renewal Focus Areas and Examples

To qualify for an Ignition Grant, a project must be:

  • An organization-led effort to engage your community;

  • A specific project, program, campaign, or similarly distinct initiative;

  • Nonpartisan and aligned with the Democracy Principles;

  • Aligned with at least one of our three focus areas:

    • Building Civic Knowledge and Skills: Developing your community’s capacity to better engage in civic action.

    • Strengthening Civic Relationships: Nurturing connections that enhance impact in your community. 

    • Taking Civic Action: Engaging your constituents to solve problems in your community.

Funds can be used to support operational and program costs related to the initiative, including staff time. Funded projects can take place at any time within a year of the funds being awarded.

Civic renewal initiatives can look many different ways depending on your organization and community. Learn more below about focus areas and sample eligible initiatives.

Building Civic Knowledge and Skills

Develop your community’s capacity to better engage in civic action.

  • Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation launched Daf America, a teaching resource to help clergy bring an American civics lens to the weekly Torah portion.

    Already a partner? Access a program playbook for this initiative and more in our Steal This! Project Bank.

  • Kabbalah Experience launched a class entitled, "Democracy and Kabbalah: Narratives and Actions for our Time." This 9-week course explored Kabbalistic and other texts related to democracy, its roots and its preservation

    Talmud Torah of St. Paul and The Mordecai Kaplan Center for Jewish Peoplehood partnered to create a course entitled "Judaism in Partnership with Democracy," a 10-week virtual program exploring the ways in which Jewish tradition offers deep wisdom on how to live many of the values on which a vibrant liberal democracy depends.

    Already a partner? Access a program playbook for this initiative and more in our Steal This! Project Bank.

  • The Brandeis School of San Francisco developed "The Mifgash Playbook" to encourage other schools to adopt best practices in values-centered civics education into their curricula and programs.

    Already a partner? Access a program playbook for this initiative and more in our Steal This! Project Bank.

  • Pardes and Limmud North America created the Jewish Guide to Talking Politics teach skills for healthy communication across differences.

    Already a partner? Access a program playbook for this initiative and more in our Steal This! Project Bank.

  • Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass hosted "Advocacy 101" to equip adults and teens in their community with practical skills to communicate with lawmakers, navigate the legislative process, and drive meaningful change.

    Already a partner? Access a program playbook for this initiative and more in our Steal This! Project Bank.

  • More resources to come!

DEVELOP CIVIC SKILLS

Equip your community with the skills to effect change.

Teach your community how American democracy works and why Jews should support it.

  • Host an in-person program to educate your constituents about democracy issues relevant to your community.

    The Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor worked with Temple Beth Emeth and Beth Israel Congregation of Ann Arbor to create a Democracy Shabbaton featuring an expert who spoke about the importance of democracy in Judaism.

    Already a partner? Access a program playbook for this initiative and more in our Steal This! Project Bank.

  • The Council of American Jewish Museums (CAJM) dedicated their 2024 conference to democracy, organizing an array of speakers and workshops to teach about ways Jewish museums can promote civic engagement.

    Already a partner? Access a program playbook for this initiative and more in our Steal This! Project Bank.

  • Leading Edge created resources and recommendations on best practices for managing teams with diverse views.

FOSTER CIVIC CULTURE IN YOUR ORGANIZATION

Celebrate and model democratic participation in your community.

Strengthening Civic Relationships

BOLSTER CIVIC LEARNING

Nurture connections that enhance impact in our community.

    • Uri L'Tzedek worked with different faith and community leaders to create a series of online workshops designed to educate participants on local civic engagement.

    • Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom organized an interfaith book group for local clergy with training from Braver Angels, and organization specializing in convening productive conversations across differences.

      Already a partner? Access a program playbook for this initiative and more in our Steal This! Project Bank.

  • The Temple in Atlanta provided a steady stream of powerful communications and programming to their community explaining how the synagogue and its interfaith partners are supporting democracy during the election season.

    Already a partner? Access a program playbook for this initiative and more in our Steal This! Project Bank.

  • faith250, a program of the American Scripture Project, is multi-faith effort to leverage the United States's 250th birthday to clarify and articulate the values of our communities and our nation, and seek to build healthier civic life in our country.

BUILD UNITY WITHIN AND BEYOND THE JEWISH COMMUNITY

Build bridges with other Jewish, faith, and community organizations in your area around issues of shared interest and concern. 

  • Host an in-person program to educate your constituents about democracy issues relevant to your community.

    The Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor worked with Temple Beth Emeth and Beth Israel Congregation of Ann Arbor to create a Democracy Shabbaton featuring an expert who spoke about the importance of democracy in Judaism.

  • The Council of American Jewish Museums (CAJM) dedicated their 2024 conference to democracy, organizing an array of speakers and workshops to teach about ways Jewish museums can promote civic engagement.

  • Leading Edge created resources and recommendations on best practices for managing teams with diverse views.

ENGAGE IN COMMUNAL ADVOCACY

Work regularly with current and future public officials on issues that matter to your community.

Taking Civic Action

Engage your community to solve problems.

  • Coordinate rides to the polls to ensure your organization is a 100% voting community in every local, state, and federal election.

  • Mobilize neighbors to work together and enhance quality of life for all in the area.

  • Bring together your community to support the local library, ensuring everyone has access to books and educational resources while strengthening this vital public institution.

  • Advocate for public safety improvements, demonstrating how citizens can work with local government to directly address community concerns and protect their neighbors.

LEAD COMMUNITY ORGANZING/SERVICE

Directly engage in hands-on efforts to improve your community.

FAQs

Any questions? Reach out to [email protected].

  • To qualify for an Ignition Grant, an organization must be a Civic Renewal Partner in the Jewish Partnership for Democracy. Becoming a Civic Renewal Partner is free, quick, and simple:

    • If you are not a partner yet, click here to join today!

    • If you are a Community Partner in the JPD, click here to become a Civic Renewal Partner.

  • Easy! Just visit our partner page to check out your organization’s partner level. If you are a Civic Renewal Partner already, you can apply for Ignition Grants right now. If you are a Community Partner, you can become a Civic Renewal Partner for free today and immediately apply for an Ignition Grant.

  • Civic Renewal Partners may submit only one proposal for this round of Ignition Grants. However, if your project does not meet the minimum eligibility criteria, A More Perfect Union staff will provide constructive feedback and you will be allowed to resubmit your proposal.

  • Yes! Recipients of A More Perfect Union’s 2023 and 2024 Ignition Grants will be eligible for this round of funding if they have fulfilled the terms of those grants.  

  • Yes! Recipients of Ignition Grants this year will be eligible for future rounds of funding as long as they are in good standing on all previous grants at the time of application.