Diller Teen Fellows Alumni Impact Initiatives

Overview and Criteria

Purpose:

Diller Teen Fellows, a program of the Helen Diller Family Foundation, provides ongoing opportunities to alumni with the goal of supporting, empowering, connecting, and amplifying them as they continue their lifelong exploration of their Jewish identity, expand their leadership journeys, and deepen their impact on the world.

Eligibility : 

All Diller alumni who have successfully completed the Fellowship are eligible to apply annually by completing the online application.

Funding Criteria:  

Diller International staff review and consider all applications for funding, provided applications meet the following criteria:

  • Applicant has completed the Diller Teen Fellows program in good standing.
  • Applicant clearly articulates the issue area the project will address, and how the project will help.
  • The project should embody Diller’s values, aiming to create a positive impact by initiating ripples of good, strengthening the community, exploring Jewish peoplehood, and/or building connections between communities.
  • Applicant must hold a primary leadership role in the project – either in initial project creation or having made a significant and impactful contribution to expanding the project.
  • Funding is intended as seed money to help launch a new or expanded initiative. Projects must have a local sponsor/partner organization in the community that is willing and able to receive the funds.

Amount:

Alumni are welcome to apply for any amount up to $1,000 USD. Applicants must include a detailed budget outlining expenses and explaining how they will use the funds. The budget may include expenses directly related to the project, such as program supplies, food, guest speakers/facilitators, facilities/space rental, PR/Marketing, security, etc.

Funding for approved projects may not be used for the following expenses:

  • Purchase of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances of any kind
  • General tuition costs (for example: to subsidize a graduate program)
  • Direct donation to a third party
  • The purchase of hardware or other equipment
  • Ongoing business-related expenses (for example: renting office space, long-term equipment rental, etc.)
  • Personal salary or stipend (for example, funding cannot pay for alumni applicant’s time spent working on the project)
  • Personal travel expenses (for example, alumni applicant’s taxi/flight to the project or event)

Review Process and Timing:  

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis by Diller International staff. Notification of the application status will be sent by email within 30 business days.

Receiving the Funds:  

Funds cannot be distributed to an individual and will be transferred to a local  sponsoring organization.

For alumni from the U.S. and Canada:

The preference is to partner with the local organization that operates Diller Teen Fellows as the sponsoring organization. Organizations that are not the Diller host organization must align with Diller’s values and will be vetted by Diller International staff before funds are sent. They will be required to submit a W-9 (USA) or a W-8 (outside the USA) for the organization, as well as an invoice from the organization with instructions on how to send funds.

For alumni from Argentina, South Africa, the UK, and Australia: 

Once your Alumni Impact Initiative has been approved, the Diller host organization will distribute the funds on your behalf.

Project Report:  

Within two months of receiving funding, recipients are required to submit a Project Report, updating Diller on the status of their project and sharing key takeaways. Recipients will be asked to share what they learned, what impact the project had on the community, and any next steps in the project. They will also be required to submit an updated budget outlining their actual expenses, including receipts. Recipients must also include photos or media from the event/project/initiative. This report will be used to provide information to our funders, promote alumni initiatives, and for public sharing on Diller social networks.