Foundation Executives Empower Top Jewish Organization Leaders at Project Accelerate Kickoff

Todd Sukol and Rella kaplowitz lead a conversation about the jewish philanthropic ecosystem with leaders from high-performing jewish organizations

Project Accelerate launched its latest two-year cohort-based program with an in-person seminar at the Pearlstone Retreat Center last week. The initiative, an effort of the Legacy Heritage Fund, equips high-performing Jewish organizations for growth by bringing together senior leaders for intensive training in fundraising and communications.

A highlight of the opening seminar was a conversation with Rella Kaplowitz, Director of U.S. Jewish Grantmaking at Shusterman Family Philanthropies, and Todd Sukol, Executive Director of the Mayberg Foundation, facilitated by Project Accelerate Education Director Alisa Rubin Kurshan. The discussion gave participants a window into how foundation professionals approach their work, their strategies for building strong relationships with grantees, and the lessons they haveve learned about what makes those partnerships most effective.

In addition to peer learning and one-on-one mentoring, Project Accelerate’s program offers senior leaders an inside look at the Jewish philanthropic ecosystem — helping them strengthen their organizations as they enter a new phase of development. The current cohort’s participating organizations include Academic Engagement Network, Center for Small Town Jewish Life, Institute for Curriculum Services, Jewfolk Inc., Jewish Fertility Foundation, Jewish Food Society, Jewish Grad Organization, Jewish Story Partners, Lehrhaus, Lost Tribe, Makom Community, Nefesh LA, and Tribe 12.