To be eligible for this grant, individuals must be residents of Western Massachusetts (Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden & Hampshire counties) or Southern Vermont (Windham and Bennington counties).
We know that a trip to Israel can be life-changing for those who make the journey. After being immersed in Jewish and Israeli culture, people return home feeling a deeper connection to their Jewish identity, history, culture, and values.
Who qualifies?
To qualify for the Israel Travel Grant for Adults, an applicant must have reached the age of 18 by the time of departure. Adults may receive this grant one time only. If you have already received an HGF Israel Travel grant as an adult, you are not eligible to reapply.
To qualify for the Israel Travel Grant for Youth, an applicant must be age 6 through 17 by the time of departure. Youth may receive this grant one time only. If you have already received an HGF Israel Travel grant as a child, you are not eligible to reapply.
To qualify for the Israel Travel Grant for Families, immediate family must be traveling together on the same trip. To be eligible:
- Adults must be traveling under an HGF Israel Travel Grant as an adult for the first time.
- Youth must be traveling under an HGF Israel Travel Grant as a child for the first time.
What type of trip qualifies?
In order to be eligible for the Israel Travel Grant, a qualifying trip must:
- Be sponsored and organized by a Jewish organization with a set itinerary
OR
- Be a volunteer service opportunity with an approved organization
- Be a self-organized trip with a clear itinerary that includes educational tours, programs, and experiences for each day
- Be a minimum of seven days
- Include high-impact and meaningful Jewish content
- Include a minimum of four days of educational activities or content (e.g., visiting museums, guided tours)
What funding is available?
- Individuals can apply for reimbursement of 50% of the cost of a trip up to $1,500.
- For family grants, each individual family member is eligible for reimbursement of 50% of the cost of a trip up to $1,500.
- The maximum funding a family may receive for a trip is $5,000.
For self-organized trips (individual and family), HGF will only reimburse the following costs:
- Flight expenses
- Lodging expenses (standard accommodations)
- Ground transportation (rental car and parking; HGF will not reimburse the cost of gas or mileage)
- Educational tours and expenses
*Please note that students at local Jewish day schools in Western MA (Lander Grinspoon Academy and Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy) may receive funding for Israel travel through the Sally Fund and can receive funds for 50% of the cost of the trip, up to $750 through the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts. Individuals must not have received an Israel Travel Grant within the past year. For more information about this grant opportunity, please go to
HTTPS://WWW.JEWISHWESTERNMASS.ORG/.
Chaperones of day school and youth group trips may apply to receive funding to cover their own travel expenses through the Israel Travel Grant (up to 50% of the cost of the program, up to $1,500).
Secular teachers at local Jewish day schools (LGA and LYA) are eligible to apply for the Israel Travel grant.
How do I apply for funding?
Completed applications must be submitted at least four weeks prior to trip departure. Late applications will not be accepted.
If approved, Israel Travel Grants are reimbursement grants. Within four weeks of your return from Israel, you must complete a report describing your trip and experience and submitpictures from your travels. HGF will issue your grant payment soon after the report is submitted and approved.
Need help?
For any general questions about the Israel Travel Grant or for questions regarding the online grant system, please contact us at
Grants@HGF.ORG
Disclaimer
Please note that the Harold Grinspoon Foundation reserves the right to decline any application for any reason.
Apply Here