Keshet

What Keshet does

Keshet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts (with regional offices in New York, Bay Area, Chicago, Florida, and Texas) that works for the full equality of LGBTQ+ Jews and their families in Jewish life. Founded in 1996 by Jonathan Krasner and Jared Goldfarb as a volunteer-run group in Greater Boston, the organization is positioned as the only U.S. entity working for LGBTQ+ equality across all facets of Jewish communal life — synagogues, Hebrew schools, day schools, youth groups, summer camps, and social-service organizations.

Keshet's service portfolio centers on Education & Training for Jewish educators, clergy, program staff, youth, and lay leaders; Youth Programs (Teen Shabbatonim retreats, online programming, the Queer Jewish Youth Alliance) for ages 11–24; the Shivyon Equality Project coaching program for institutional change; the LGBTQ+ Jewish Resource Library of 350+ curated items; a publicly searchable Equality Directory of affirming clergy and organizations; publications including children's books and the Hineini documentary; and the Move to Thrive interest-free relocation loan program (up to $10,000) operated in partnership with Hebrew Free Loan Society. The underlying technology consists of programmatic resources, training curricula, online tools, and searchable databases rather than a unified software platform.

Keshet operates a donation-based revenue model with no fees for programs or services. Funding is sourced primarily from individual donors (one-time, recurring monthly, and stock transfers) supplemented by Jewish charitable giving vehicles such as B'Mitzvah tzedakah projects, plus recurring foundation grants — five documented grants from the Jim Joseph Foundation between 2014 and 2022 totaling approximately $5.6 million. Distribution occurs through direct request-based training and speaker engagements, regional office programming, an online resource library, a public event calendar, and community events including Pride Shabbat celebrations. The organization holds Platinum Candid (GuideStar) transparency certification and a Charity Navigator seal.

Name

Keshet

Legal name

Keshet, Inc.

Website

https://keshetonline.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Keshet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1996 that advocates for full LGBTQ+ equality across all facets of Jewish life in the United States, serving LGBTQ+ Jews and their families, Jewish communal institutions, and queer Jewish youth ages 11–24 through training, resources, youth programming, and advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LGBTQ+ advocacy and inclusion services for the Jewish community

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (62411), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• LGBTQ+ Jewish advocacy
• Jewish community education
• Nonprofit training services
• Equality program consulting
• Community belonging resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Keshet relies primarily on individual donations from supporters, with a $50,000 matching opportunity during Pride Month (June) where donations are matched dollar for dollar. Donors can give one-time, monthly recurring, or through stock transfers.
2. Tzedakah/B'Mitzvah Projects: Jewish charitable giving programs where individuals, particularly those preparing for B'Mitzvah ceremonies, choose Keshet for their tzedakah (charity) projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Keshet is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers Education & Training, coaching (Shivyon: Keshet's Equality Project), and Youth Programs (Shabbatonim retreats, Queer Jewish Youth Alliance cohorts) for the Jewish community, alongside an LGBTQ+ Jewish Resource Library (350+ items) and a searchable Equality Directory of affirming clergy and organizations. It also operates the Move to Thrive interest-free relocation loan program (up to $10,000) in partnership with the Hebrew Free Loan Society for individuals relocating out of states with anti-LGBTQ+ climates.

Product overview

Keshet is a national nonprofit organization working for the full equality of LGBTQ+ Jews and their families in Jewish life. Rather than a unified technology product, Keshet offers a portfolio of programs and resources including Education & Training services for Jewish organizations, Youth Programs (ages 11-24) featuring Shabbatonim retreats and the Queer Jewish Youth Alliance, the LGBTQ+ Jewish Resource Library (350+ resources), the Equality Directory (a searchable database of affirming organizations and clergy), and publications including children's books (The Purim Superhero, The Flower Girl Wore Celery) and the documentary Hineini. Additional offerings include the Shivyon Equality Project coaching program, the Move to Thrive interest-free loan program (up to $10,000 for relocation), Pride planning guides, and merchandise such as Safe Zone stickers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Education & Training Training and support services for Jewish educators, clergy, program staff, youth, and lay leaders to ensure LGBTQ+ youth, families, and staff are affirmed in all Jewish educational and community settings. Delivered to Jewish organizations via direct service requests.
• Youth Programs Initiatives supporting, empowering, and celebrating queer Jewish youth ages 11–24, including LGBTQ+ and Ally Teen Shabbatonim weekend retreats, online programming, and resources.
• Shivyon: Keshet's Equality Project A coaching and evaluation program that helps Jewish organizations shift LGBTQ+ programming to be more impactful, increase awareness surrounding codes of ethics, make forms more inclusive, and train faculty on inclusivity.
• Keshet-HFLS 'Move to Thrive' Interest-Free Loan Program Partnership with Hebrew Free Loan Society offering interest-free loans of up to $10,000 for individuals and families to support relocation costs due to anti-LGBTQ+ laws, policies, and climate.
• LGBTQ+ Jewish Resource Library An expansive library of LGBTQ+ Jewish resources organized by keywords, topics, and resource types, containing over 350 resources.
• Equality Directory A publicly searchable database of LGBTQ+-affirming Jewish organizations and clergy who have submitted their information to help LGBTQ+ Jews and their families find communities of belonging.
• Community Belonging Guides Community Belonging 101 guides for synagogues, day schools, summer camps, Hillels, and Jewish youth groups.
• Resources for Trans & Nonbinary People Resources, both national and state-based, for trans and nonbinary people and their families, including services, guides, and support materials.
• Queer Jewish Youth Alliance Cohort-based programming for LGBTQ+ Jewish teens providing learning and community-building activities in various locations.
• Machane Lev Overnight Camp Partnership Partnership with LGBTQ+ Jewish overnight camp in Canada for youth ages 11-17, providing group travel from the United States and camp programming.
• Flowers for Our People Photography and written reflections exhibit reimagining iconic figures from Jewish texts through the lens of LGBTQ+ Jews of Color.
• The Purim Superhero Children's book created by Keshet featuring Nate, a child who loves aliens and wants to be his authentic self with the help of his two dads.
• The Flower Girl Wore Celery Children's book created by Keshet about Emma who discovers her cousin's new spouse is another bride at a wedding.
• Hineini: Coming Out in a Jewish High School Documentary film (2005) chronicling a student's courageous fight to establish a Gay-Straight Alliance at a Jewish high school and the transformative impact on the community.
• LGBTQ+ Jewish Safe Zone and Pride Stickers Stickers indicating organizations or classrooms as safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people, available through the Keshet Store.
• Pride Circle / Equality Council Giving Programs Membership and giving programs that provide recurring support for Keshet's LGBTQ+ equality work in Jewish communities, including a $50,000 matching donation campaign.

Quantifiable outcome

• LGBTQ+ programming became more impactful with increased awareness surrounding code of ethics, more inclusive membership and school forms, and trained faculty

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Hebrew Free Loan Society (HFLS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer interest-free loans of up to $10,000 for individuals and families to support relocation costs to another state because of anti-LGBTQ+ laws, policies, and climate.
• Machane LevcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQ+ Jewish overnight camp in Canada for youth ages 11-17. Keshet provides group travel from the United States and partners on programming for 8-day camp experience.
• Base Logan SquareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in co-hosting queer healthy dating workshop for Tu B'Av celebration. Joint programming event in Chicago.
• SHALVAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in co-hosting queer healthy dating workshop for Tu B'Av celebration.
• Repair the WorldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in co-hosting queer healthy dating workshop for Tu B'Av celebration.
• Greater Miami Jewish FederationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLongtime partnership reflects shared commitment to building Jewish community where everyone feels seen, valued, and welcomed. Federation works alongside Keshet for advocacy, education, and programs.
• JPrideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for World Pride Amsterdam events, co-hosting Queer Jewish Joy mini-festival at the Jewish Museum.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Human Rights Campaign (HRC): The largest U.S. LGBTQ+ civil rights advocacy organization. Comparable as a broad LGBTQ+ advocacy peer but operates at national scale without Keshet's specific Jewish-community specialization.
• GLAAD: Leading LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization. Comparable as a peer in LGBTQ+ advocacy, training, and resource production, though without the Jewish-community specialization.
• Jewish Federations of North America: Umbrella organization for North American Jewish federations including Greater Miami Jewish Federation, a Keshet partner. Comparable as the dominant Jewish communal funding and convening infrastructure in which Keshet operates.
• JCC Association of North America: National network of Jewish Community Centers serving as hubs for Jewish communal programming, education, and inclusion. Comparable in delivering inclusive Jewish programming across multiple geographies, including LGBTQ+ welcoming efforts.
• The Trevor Project: National LGBTQ+ youth crisis and suicide-prevention organization. Comparable in serving LGBTQ+ youth, with overlapping concerns around youth mental health and wellbeing.

Direct peers

• Nehirim: Nehirim is a national LGBTQ+ Jewish community organization offering retreats, programming, and cultural events. Closely comparable to Keshet's Shabbatonim retreats and community-building programs for LGBTQ+ Jews.
• Eshel: Eshel is a nonprofit that supports LGBTQ+ Jews and their families, particularly through community-building for Orthodox-affiliated and traditionally observant LGBTQ+ individuals. Directly comparable mission and target population to Keshet, with overlapping youth and community programming.
• Moving Traditions: Moving Traditions is a Jewish nonprofit that supports teens through educational programs including B-Mitzvah and Rosh Hodesh curricula, with growing LGBTQ+ inclusion work. Comparable in mission (Jewish youth education) and direct overlap with Keshet's inclusive-education programming in day schools and congregations.
• JQY (Jewish Queer Youth): JQY is a nonprofit organization supporting LGBTQ+ Jewish youth, particularly teens and young adults from Orthodox and Hasidic backgrounds. Directly comparable to Keshet's youth programs (ages 11-24) and education/training motion within Jewish communal settings.

Emerging players

• Keshet Ga'avah: A lay-led LGBTQ+ Jewish community focused on the Bay Area, with a similar constituency to Keshet. Overlaps with Keshet's regional programming in the Bay Area and shares the LGBTQ+ Jewish community-building mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/KeshetGLBTJews
• Facebookfacebook.com/KeshetGLBTJews
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/keshet---nonprofit
• Instagraminstagram.com/keshetlgbtqjews

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Keshet