Annual Report 2018: MOMENTUM

19 countries
453 grantees
Dozens of laws changed
Millions of lives transformed

This is momentum. And it all began with acts of generosity from compassionate people like you. Thank you for your investment in AJWS’s work to build a more just and equitable world in 2018. Scroll through our “Year in Review” below for facts and figures about our impact in 2018, and download our full annual report for inspiring stories of momentum and change.

Jewish Giving

Multiplied for Global Good

Through AJWS, your tzedakah builds momentum for powerful movements for justice.

In 2018...

85¢ of every dollar

went to our programs to build a better world.

$30 million*

invested to advance human rights and end poverty in developing countries.

$390 million

granted cumulatively to thousands of social change organizations since our founding in 1985.

*$15.3 million in additional grants were made through a donor-advised fund to organizations promoting human rights globally.

453 Grantees in 19 Countries

Multiplying Hope

In 2018, AJWS supported 453 social change organizations fighting poverty and promoting human rights.

Together, they’re changing millions of lives.

Repairing the world

Issue by Issue

AJWS met the challenges of 2018 by focusing deeply on four key issues:

Confronting Rising Injustice

Together

AJWS helps organizations grow, form alliances, and build strong movements for justice.

of our grantees are new organizations founded within 5 years of their first AJWS grant.

of our 24 in-country experts provide our grantees with capacity-building support to develop their leadership, infrastructure, programs and more.

of our grantees engage in advocacy to advance laws and policies to promote human rights.

of our grantees are members of networks or coalitions that work together to effect more change.

Transforming

Laws and Lives Worldwide

In 2017 and 2018, AJWS grantees and the movements they’re part of have helped shape laws, policies and precedent-setting court cases to protect human rights locally, regionally and nationally.

Guatemala

Court finally serves justice for victims of Guatemala’s forced disappearances, convicting military officers of crimes against humanity

Impact: Brings hope to hundreds of thousands of families yearning for justice

El Salvador

Salvadoran government bans metallic mining

Impact: Water free from cyanide for 6.3 million Salvadorans

Kenya

African court sides with indigenous people over logging industry, preserving ancient forest

Impact: 35,000 Ogiek Kenyans reclaim their land

India

Anti-gay law overturned in India

Impact: Victory for all LGBTI Indians in a population of 1.3 billion

Kenya

Kenyan court rules that multi-billion dollar oil project must mitigate environmental harm

Impact: Reparations paid to 4,600 villagers whose land was harmed; mitigation efforts will potentially affect millions in the future

India

Indian court overturns Muslim law that allowed husbands to divorce their wives simply by saying “divorce”

Impact: 90 million Muslim women in India gain greater agency over a key life decision

Spotlight:

Disaster & Humanitarian Response

Disaster & humanitarian response around the world in 2018

Rohingya genocide
Burma, Bangladesh

East Africa Hunger Crisis
South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda

Earthquakes
Nepal, Mexico

Flooding and Landslides
Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Sri Lanka

Hurricane Matthew
Haiti

Spotlight:

Gender Equality in India

AJWS is working to advance gender equality and end child marriage in India. We’re investing in communities, advocacy and research to change harmful social norms, so women and girls can make their own choices and pursue their goals.

In 2018, AJWS supported:

Our Supporters

AJWS unites the power of 170,000 supporters from all 50 states and around the world. Adding up the impact of our community—from the young professionals of Global Circle to the legacy donors who support our work in perpetuity through planned giving—we are changing millions of lives together.

Jewish Engagement for Justice

1,800 Rabbis in our clergy network

15 Global Justice Fellows—rabbis honing their leadership for social change

413 Alumni of the fellowship fostering activism from pulpits and communities across the U.S.

200,000+ Downloads of our Haggadah and other Jewish social justice resources

Meeting the Highest Standards of

Philanthropic Integrity

“Four stars”

by Charity Navigator for 16 years

All 20

of Better Business Bureau’s standards for charity accountability

“A" Rating

by CharityWatch (formerly American Institute of Philanthropy) since 2004

Award:

“2017 Email Fundraising Appeal of the Year” by Direct Marketing Fundraiser’s Association