Mission The Foundation is accepting proposals by invitation only through 2010.The Levinson Foundation is a Jewish family foundation incorporated in 1955 by Max Levinson, a Philadelphia businessman and philanthropist. We practice tzedakah, which has the dual meaning of wise understanding and generous giving. Board members include descendants of Max and Anna Levinson, as well as guest directors who contribute expertise. We make grants to individuals and groups committed to developing a more just, caring, ecological and sustainable world, in which people have a greater ability and opportunity to determine directions for the future. We live in an era in which economic activity dominates our lives. Consumerism is our culture, and economic growth, at any cost, is seen by many governments as their mandate and as a panacea for social ills. Economies are no longer rooted in particular countries but are dominated by multinational corporations, and the rules governing economic activity, and hence much of our lives, are made by distant, inaccessible institutions such as the World Bank. While there are tangible benefits for some in the global economy, there are at least three areas of concern that we as a foundation try to address. The first is to recognize that there remains tremendous suffering in the world. It is our responsibility to provide what relief we can. At the same time we support those who advocate vigorously for changes in the system, so that economic prosperity, and the opportunity to live satisfying and meaningful lives, are created under fair and sustainable conditions, and by promoting an ethos of kindness, caring, ecological awareness, and generosity. The truth is that the well-being of every individual on the planet is inexorably linked to the well-being of all. The second area of concern, which has only recently begun to be addressed by society, is the cost to the Earth of unlimited economic growth. We are at a turning point: consensus has been reached that global warming is real, it is exacerbated by our industrial practices and lifestyle, and it must be contained. Unfortunately, there is still a huge gap between political reality and ecological reality, and as we work to close that gap, we strive to hold on to functional ecosystems, clean air and water, and avoid whatever irreversible losses we possibly can. Neither current rates of resource extraction nor the global dependence on fossil fuels are sustainable, and there is a very real question as to whether we will be able to make the transition to a just and ecological way of living before experiencing a catastrophic collapse of the life support systems. Indeed, much of the world's poor are already experiencing catastrophic conditions brought on by the violent convergence of the globalized corporate-led economy, injustice, indifference, and environmental degradation.
Whatever the specific area of interest, we encourage projects that pursue their goals either by developing concrete alternatives to the status quo or by responsibly modifying existing systems, institutions, conditions, and attitudes which block promising innovation.
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Our third area of concern has to do with culture, ethnicity, and religion. As consumer culture, corporate capital, and international governance spreads around the world, a homogenization, or centralized global assimilation, is taking place that threatens the survival of distinct indigenous, ethnic and religious traditions and the legacies of wisdom they hold. At the same time, religious extremism, the clash of pre-modern and post-modern societies, and increased militarism, terrorism, and attacks on civil liberties and freedoms worldwide pose real threats to any notion of a sustainable future. As a Jewish family foundation, we are committed to nurturing and promoting Jewish culture and spirituality, building Jewish community in the Diaspora, Jewish history and education, and social and environmental issues in Israel. We are also committed to a fair and just resolution for the Israeli people and the Palestinian people in the Middle East. We recognize the common ethical and spiritual imperative to care for the Earth and all its people that is at the heart of all great traditions.
We seek people and organizations that combine idealism, dedication and genuine concern with rigorous analysis and strategic plans. We accept proposals from any and all locations, but prefer projects with broad implications for society as a whole. For information on applying to the Levinson Foundation, please see | |