Engagement Grant application

The Legacy Heritage Synagogue Engagement Pilot, in partnership with the Orthodox Union, is a targeted national initiative designed to expand access to meaningful Jewish communal life.This three-year pilot will invest in a select cohort of high-capacity Orthodox synagogues that have demonstrated both a track record of growth and a clear readiness to engage individuals and families who are not yet fully connected to synagogue life.Selected synagogues will receive both financial investment of $75,000 per year while committing to working toward clearly defined metrics, disciplined implementation, and shared learning across the cohort. The goal is to develop a replicable model for synagogue-based engagement that can be scaled nationally—strengthening communities and expanding the reach of Jewish life for years to come.
ABOUT YOUR SHUL
Shul Name
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Name of Main Contact Person

First NameLast Name
Your role in the Shul
Email of main contact
example@example.com
Shul Website Address
Leadership and Governance
Name of Rabbi

First NameLast Name
Rabbi's Email
example@example.com
Name of President

First NameLast Name
President's Email
example@example.com
Institutional Strength and Growth
Current Full Member Units
Current Associate Member Units
Current Operating Budget
Number of Programming & Clergy Staff
Number of Non-Member participants in Shul Programming
Describe your synagogue’s growth trajectory over the past three years, including the key drivers of growth and the leadership decisions that helped shape it. (Under 300 words)

Growth over the past 3 years

Rows	2023	2024	2025
Membership
Annual Budget
Shabbat Attendance
Yamim Noraim Attendance

Engagement Landscape
How would you describe the term "peripherally engaged" individuals/families in your Shul's Catchment area? How many such families do you estimate are in your Shul's orbit who could potentially join? - 100 words or Less.

Estimated number of peripherally engaged individuals/families in your orbit that have been engaged by your shul.

Rows	# of Indiviuals
Initial contact
Attended at least one program/Tefilla
Attended multiple programs (3+)
Became regularly engaged

Proposed Use of Funds
Describe your proposed use for the grant funds. What programming, staffing our marketing initiative do you plan to implement?

Please describe the approximate allocation you expect should the grant funds be awarded to your Shul.

Rows	Yearly Allocation in $	Description
Staffing
Marketing
Technology
Programming

What differentiates your Shul's approach to engagement from others in your community? Under 250 words
What specific capacity will exist after Year 1 that does not exist today? What about after Year 3? Under 250 words

Projected growth

Rows	Number
Projected Budget Growth (%)
Projected Participation Growth (%)
Projected New Engaged Families (#)
Projected Staff Growth (FTE)

Sustainability and Long-Term Vision
How do you plan to keep the initiatives supported by this grant in place following the grant period? Please be specific about revenue sources if relevant. (under 250 words)
What will be measurably different in your synagogue in three years if this initiative succeeds? (under 250 words)
Required Materials
The following question should be submitted by the Rabbi, ideally on Synagogue Letterhead. Articulate your synagogue’s strategic approach to engaging individuals who are not currently deeply connected to synagogue life. What assumptions guide your approach, and how do you translate them into practice? (under 300 words)

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The following question should be answered by the Shul lay leadership ideally on Synagogue Letterhead. Describe how the synagogue’s lay leadership has prioritized and supported the engagement of previously peripheral individuals. (under 300 words)

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Final Narrative Question: These funds are intended for Shuls that fit the following description. 1.Growing engagement and expanding and deepening access to Jewish communal life; 2. Synagogues where young families are flocking, and 3. high energy and growth. Please describe with as much detail as possible how you feel your synagogue fits the vision of this grant. The following question can be answered by any members of the Shul's leadership, ideally on Synagogue Letterhead.

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Certification
By submitting this application, we certify that the information provided is accurate and complete to the best of our knowledge. We understand that this application will be used to assess our synagogue’s readiness to participate in a highly selective, performance-driven pilot initiative.

On behalf of our institution, we affirm the following:

Our leadership team (rabbinic and lay) is aligned in its commitment to expanding engagement among previously peripheral individuals and families
We are prepared to deploy grant funds in accordance with all stated guidelines and restrictions.

We commit to full participation in the program, including required reporting, leadership convenings, and ongoing collaboration with the Orthodox Union

We will track and report key performance metrics, including participation, staffing, and budget growth, and engage in honest assessment of outcomes

We understand that selection into this pilot carries both opportunity and responsibility, including contributing to a broader model for national replication

We acknowledge that failure to comply with program requirements or material misrepresentation in this application may result in disqualification or termination from the program.

By signing below, we indicate institutional commitment to the goals, expectations, and accountability standards of the Legacy Heritage Synagogue Engagement Pilot.
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Signature of Rabbi
Signature of Synagogue President
Should be Empty:

ABOUT YOUR SHUL

Leadership and Governance

Institutional Strength and Growth

Engagement Landscape

Proposed Use of Funds

Sustainability and Long-Term Vision

Required Materials

Certification

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