The Moed North America’s Philanthropic Leadership Academy, a program of the Jewish Federations’ Center for Jewish Belonging,  develops the capacity of Jewish leaders of Color leaders to influence Jewish philanthropic decision-making through comprehensive training in grant-making, foundation governance, and funding strategies. Participants engage in monthly cohort sessions covering the Jewish philanthropic landscape, proposal evaluation, and board leadership. The program creates pathways for racially and ethnically diverse Jewish professionals and lay leaders to shape resource allocation and advance racial equity within Jewish communal funding structures.

The Philanthropic Leadership Academy is for racially / ethnically diverse Jews who are:

• Jewish professionals and/ or lay leaders of color
• Interested in philanthropy, fundraising, grantmaking, donor engagement, and/ or communal leadership
• Motivated to grow philanthropic leadership and prepared to develop a real-world capstone project, engaging in feedback, coaching, and peer learning throughout the program

The Philanthropic Leadership Academy may not be the best fit for you if you:

• Cannot attend all Zoom sessions and Washington, D.C. Summit (July 13-14, 2026)
• Seeking guaranteed funding at the end of the program (funding beyond the $1,800 stipend is not guaranteed)

A Jewish Leader of Color is someone who is Black/African-American, African, Native/Indigenous American, Hawaiian, Afro-Caribbean, Latin American, Asian-American, Middle Eastern or North African, Indian, Biracial, Mixed race, Multiracial.

Applications are open January 27-February 27, 2026.

The four-month program launches on March 10, 2026, and includes five 75-minute Zoom sessions. It culminates in a two-day, in-person summit on July 13–14 in Washington, D.C. Participants are expected to attend all sessions.

The program is a hybrid experience: 

• Launches on Zoom
• Concludes with a half in-person summit July 13-14, in Washington, DC

For the Philanthropic Leadership Academy Capstone Project, participants will synthesize what they’ve learned about Jewish philanthropy, racial equity, budgeting, case-making, governance, and funding strategies to develop a concise equity-centered plan for securing and/or deploying philanthropic resources. The Capstone Project prepares participants to navigate the Jewish funding system effectively, strengthening their access to philanthropic support and their ability to advance JOC-led initiatives strategically.

There is no direct cost to participate in the Philanthropic Leadership Academy cohort. All program materials, virtual sessions, and learning experiences are provided at no charge.

Participants will, however, be responsible for covering their own travel and lodging for the in‑person symposium in Washington, D.C. from July 13–14. Finances should not be a barrier to participate, we will have limited resources available to help offset these expenses, and information about how to request support will be shared with the cohort.

Jewish Federations' Center for Jewish Belonging convenes, mobilizes, and empowers the Jewish community to create a culture of belonging for all Jews and our loved ones. We support and amplify the voices of Jews from underrepresented backgrounds, working to ensure that every North American Jew feels seen and valued.

Moed North America, a program of the Jewish Federations’ Center for Jewish Belonging, exists to celebrate the racial and ethnic diversity of the Jewish people. We aim to ensure Jewish leaders of color are represented and prepared to be in professional and lay leadership positions, invest in racial equity in Jewish life, and mitigate the impacts of racism on individuals and the Jewish community.