Machne Israel Development Fund’s Frontier Fund Opens for Applications

The new Machne Israel Development Fund (MIDF) initiative will help Shluchim turn promising opportunities into lasting growth for Chabad and their communities.

Before moving out on Shlichus, a Shliach works to secure the support needed to establish a presence and begin serving the community. He then spends the first several years knocking on doors, building relationships, developing programs, and laying the foundation for Chabad’s activities in the city.

As the community begins to take shape, a new challenge often emerges. The Shlichus is established, its activities are growing, and the potential for further development is clear – but the young community may not yet have the resources needed to take the work to the next level.

Operating under Chabad-Lubavitch Headquarters, the Machne Israel Development Fund brings Shluchim and philanthropists together to support and expand Chabad activities worldwide. MIDF has now opened applications for its Frontier Fund to help Shluchim at precisely this stage.

The new grant program will support established Shluchim in smaller, geographically isolated, developing, and underserved Jewish communities as they pursue opportunities that could meaningfully advance their Shlichus.

Funding may be used to move Chabad activities from a private home into a larger facility, secure a new space, renovate an existing facility, expand a successful program, reach a new segment of the community, or pursue another well-defined opportunity that could significantly strengthen local Jewish life.

“The Rebbe wrote in the MIDF’s founding preamble that as Chabad Houses expanded their activities, local resources alone were not sufficient, making it ‘essential and the need of the hour’ to bring together friends who could provide the necessary support,” wrote Rabbi Shmaya Krinsky, Executive Director of the Machne Israel Development Fund, in his email to Shluchim. “The Frontier Fund carries that vision forward by helping established Shluchim pursue real opportunities for growth and bring the work of Chabad to an even greater number of Jews.”

Shluchim will be asked to provide an overview of their community, current activities, proposed opportunity, requested amount, and anticipated impact.

“I have seen the need for this kind of support in my own Shlichus,” said Rabbi Chaim Leib Hilel, a member of the Frontier Fund allocation committee. “Shluchim in smaller communities often build steadily for years before reaching a moment that could change the trajectory of their work. When that moment arrives, timely support can help turn a promising opportunity into lasting growth for the entire community.”

First-year grants will generally be up to $25,000, with flexibility based on the scope and circumstances of each project. Recipients who demonstrate progress and use the funds responsibly will receive priority consideration for an additional grant the following year.

The Frontier Fund allocation committee includes Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Rabbi Chaim Shaul Bruk of Bozeman, Montana; Rabbi Berl Goldman of Gainesville, Florida; and Rabbi Chaim Leib Hilel of San Luis Obispo, California. Each committee member brings firsthand experience building Chabad in a frontier community and assisting fellow Shluchim through a wide range of circumstances.

Shluchim can review the criteria and submit an application at MIDF.org/shluchim.

To learn more about the Machne Israel Development Fund or become involved, visit MIDF.org or email info@midf.org.

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