IEJI Offers Nonprofits a Tune-Up for Strategic Growth and Impact

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IEJI Program Director Dara Weinerman Steinberg offers nonprofits a tune-up for strategic growth

IEJI—the Incubator for Emerging Jewish Initiatives—has a clear mission: to empower people and organizations developing meaningful Jewish engagement or educational initiatives to succeed. As a Mayberg Foundation partner, IEJI already offers a robust suite of services for Jewish nonprofits, including:

  • Fiscal Sponsorship: Available for projects, collaborations, and organizations who do not have a 501(c)(3) status in which, IEJI provides the ability to accept charitable donations (online and by check, including gifts from donor-advised funds), as well as full gift acknowledgment and compliance, government reporting, and access to expert advice and referrals.

  • Coaching and Consulting: Including customized short-term consulting engagements.

IEJI’s newest offering is its Organizational Assessment, which covers everything from vision and programming to leadership, governance, finance, legal matters, and operations. The process is collaborative, with the executive director (and optionally, the board chair) participating in a series of interviews and conversations. It is an especially useful process for organizations in start-up or growth stages.

Success Stories: Real Impact for Growing Organizations

The Hebrew Free Loan Association of Greater Washington (HFLA), another Mayberg Foundation partner, used the Organizational Assessment service as a springboard for its next phase of growth. With support from IEJI Program Director Dara Weinerman Steinberg, HFLA conducted a thorough review of its mission, structure, and operations. This assessment didn’t just clarify priorities—it laid the groundwork for a strategic planning process that could zero in on the issues that mattered most. By tackling the foundational questions early, HFLA saved both time and money, allowing its strategic plan to focus on high-impact areas like community engagement, board development, and fundraising. As a result, HFLA has taken concrete steps toward growth, including hiring Yale Siegel, a new development and marketing associate, to expand their impact in the DC-area Jewish community.

Organizational assessment questionnaire

Organizations that have piloted the assessment found it both clarifying and practical. As Ariele Mortkowitz, founding director of Svivah, described, “As a growing organization without extensive infrastructure, it was incredibly helpful to go through a detailed evaluation of where we stand. The clarity of the assessment helped us move several things forward at once—always with an eye toward positive, incremental growth and improvement.”

Assessment Details and How to Participate

The Organizational Assessment uses a nonprofit lifecycle model and is typically completed in three to four weeks. For a fee of $1,800, participants receive a detailed report and practical recommendations to guide strategic planning, board discussions, and capacity building.

“Think of it as a first step to tune-up your nonprofit,” said IEJI Program Director Dara Weinerman Steinberg, who has more than two decades of nonprofit management experience. “The assessment is a confidential, judgment-free process designed to give organizations a snapshot of their strengths and areas where they may need to build capacity to achieve their goals.”

Interested organizations can learn more by contacting IEJI at info@emergingjewish.org or reaching out directly to Program Director Dara Weinerman Steinberg at dara@darasteinbergconsulting.com.