Voices: The Jewish Teen Foundation
This prestigious, ten-month-long program offers 25 Jewish high school students from across the metro Chicago area the opportunity to learn the ins-and-outs of teen philanthropy and grant-making through a Jewish lens.
Members of the Voices Jewish Teen Foundation Board allocate at least $25,000 to affect real change to the issues they care about most.
In Voices, you will
- Explore important issues
- Gain a deeper understanding of community needs in Chicago and around the world
- Learn important professional skills such as how to review proposals, read budgets and make presentations
- Grow your critical thinking skills by evaluating funding applications and debating with other passionate teens
For Grant Seekers
The application window for funding for the 2025-2026 cycle is now closed.
Learn moreVoices 101
Consider supporting the work of this group of ambitious teens, currently participating in one year of intensive philanthropy training!
Learn moreHow do I apply?
Applications for Voices are now closed
How often does Voices meet?
Voices Boards meet one Sunday afternoon a month. The 101 Board meets from 2:30-4:30pm and the Alumni Board meets from 5:00-7:00pm, with the exception of an all-day retreat, and all-day site visit day. Locations change monthly, a schedule will be provided to participants upon program acceptance.
Attendance at all board meetings, including the opening and closing dinners, the all-day retreat, and the all-day site visit day is mandatory unless previously discusses with the program director.
Who can apply?
Voices is open to Jewish students in 9th-12th grade who live in the greater Chicago area. Our program is a welcoming space for any teen looking to make a difference!
I have dietary preferences or restrictions. Will you be able to accommodate me?
Of course! Snacks are an important part of the work, and we make sure all dietary needs (like kosher food and allergies) are accommodated.
How intense is Voices? This isn’t going to be like school, is it?
Although Voices meeting are really fun, they definitely require focus and commitment. Before you apply, you must be ready to make Voices a priority and you must be ready to read, write, listen, think, debate, wrestle and apply yourself throughout the year-long program. We do out best to keep outside work to a minimum, but you many have “homework” sometimes (never more than an hour, we swear). Success of the program depends upon your FULL participation because your fellow board members will depend on you throughout the year.
Wait, you are going to give me $25,000 to give away? What’s the catch?
It’s true! Thanks to an anonymous donor, Voices is able to support teen philanthropists with $25,000 a year for grant-making purposes. In addition, each teen board member is asked to make a meaningful personal monetary contribution to the total amount as well. That way, each board member has a personal stake in the final grants.
I’m so excited about Voices that I think I may want to do it for a second, third, or even fourth year! Are there any opportunities to grow in the program as a leader?
YES! Please see our Voices Alumni page for more information.
I still have more questions! What do I do?
Call Eli Mulligan at 312-631-2036 or write us an email at [email protected], and we will get back to you ASAP!