Jews of Color Initiative
The Jews of Color Initiative is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances racial equity in the Jewish community by centering JoC leadership through grantmaking, original research, regional professional networks, and community education resources.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersBerkeley, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Jews of Color Initiative does
The Jews of Color Initiative (JoCI) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance racial equity in the American Jewish community by centering the leadership of Jews of Color (JoC) and ensuring that Jewish institutions reflect the multiracial reality of the Jewish people. The organization is led by CEO Ilana Kaufman and operates a programmatic portfolio built around four pillars: grantmaking to JoC-led organizations and projects; original research (most notably the 2021 "Beyond the Count" report and the follow-on "Counting Inconsistencies" study); regional JoC Professional Networks that convene JoC leaders in person; and a communications/community-education layer comprising a monthly newsletter (Galim), a community resource library, family resources, speaking engagements, and national listening tours. Distribution is community-led rather than commercial: the website (thejoci.org) serves as the central hub for research, grant information, and newsletters, supplemented by social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn), op-eds in outlets such as Chronicle of Philanthropy and Times of Israel, and in-person events.
There is no proprietary technology stack, software product, or AI component — the offering is human, community, and research-driven rather than technology-driven. Revenue mechanics are those of a donation-funded nonprofit: contributions from individuals, foundations, and supporters fund operations and outbound grantmaking. The core beneficiary segment is a clearly defined persona — Jewish individuals who also identify as People of Color — served through horizontal segmentation across leadership development, community building, professional networking, and research participation use cases. Go-to-market is community-led growth via regional networks, listening tours, speaking engagements, and an active events calendar.
Jews of Color Initiative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Jews of Color Initiative
- Legal name
- Jews of Color Initiative
- Website
- https://jewsofcolorinitiative.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Jews of Color Initiative is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances racial equity in the Jewish community by centering JoC leadership through grantmaking, original research, regional professional networks, and community education resources.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Jews of Color Initiative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Advocacy and Grantmaking
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Religious Organizations (8131)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Racial & Ethnic Justice Organizations (BPAGAFAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB)
Keywords
Where Jews of Color Initiative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berkeley
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Jews of Color Initiative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and relies on donations from individuals, foundations, and supporters to fund operations and grantmaking programs.
- Grantmaking (Outbound): The organization provides grants to Jews of Color-led organizations and projects advancing racial equity in the Jewish community. This is their primary programmatic activity rather than a revenue stream.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Jews of Color Initiative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Jews of Color Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances racial equity in the U.S. Jewish community by centering the leadership of Jews of Color. It provides grantmaking to JoC-led organizations, conducts and disseminates research (e.g., "Beyond the Count," "Counting Inconsistencies"), runs regional JoC Professional Networks, organizes a National Listening Tour and speaking engagements, and produces educational resources including family resources and a monthly newsletter (Galim).
Product overview
The Jews of Color Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on advancing racial equity in the U.S. Jewish community. The organization offers programs including grantmaking, research (such as the Beyond the Count study), regional JoC Professional Networks, speaking engagements, community education and resources, family resources, and a monthly newsletter called Galim. These are community-focused programs and resources rather than technology products or software offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 2021 research report 'Beyond the Count' provides unprecedented data on JoC identities and experiences
Companies that use Jews of Color Initiative
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Jews of Color Initiative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Jews of Color Initiative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- CorrelatecoreCorrelate, a grantee organization, developed 'Between Us' - a bridge-building card game addressing antisemitism education. The project is rooted in the belief that durable understanding is built through connection that can hold complexity without collapsing into defensiveness and polarization. This represents a strategic co-development relationship focused on innovative educational tools.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Jews of Color Initiative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- J Street: A Jewish-American advocacy organization active in U.S. policy debates. Comparable only loosely as another Jewish-political-advocacy nonprofit; included as a reference point for how Jewish identity-rooted advocacy organizations operate within a polarized U.S. climate.
Direct peers
- Be'chol Lashon: A Jewish nonprofit dedicated to celebrating and supporting Jewish diversity and multiracial Jewish identity. Directly comparable to JoCI because both center the experiences of Jews of Color and work to expand inclusion within the broader Jewish community.
- Avodah: A Jewish nonprofit developing leaders and mobilizing the Jewish community against poverty and injustice. Comparable as a values-driven Jewish organization using fellowship, community engagement, and education as primary programmatic vehicles, similar in scale to JoCI.
- Keshet: A national Jewish organization advancing full LGBTQ equality and inclusion in Jewish life. Comparable in structure and approach — a 501(c)(3) using advocacy, education, and convening to advance equity within the Jewish community for an underrepresented constituency.
- Jewish Women's Archive: A Jewish nonprofit documenting and elevating stories of Jewish women and gender-diverse people. Comparable as a 501(c)(3) using research, archives, and storytelling to advance equity and representation for an underrepresented Jewish constituency.
Broad incumbents
- Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life: The largest Jewish campus organization in the world. Comparable as a wide-reaching Jewish nonprofit engaging Jewish identity and community life, providing partial functional overlap with JoCI on Jewish student engagement and identity programming for diverse populations.
- Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism: The public-policy and social-justice arm of the Reform Jewish movement. Comparable in advancing Jewish values-based advocacy on social issues including racial justice, representing broader institutional scale alongside JoCI's narrower JoC focus.
- MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger: A national Jewish anti-hunger advocacy and grantmaking organization. Comparable as a Jewish-identity-rooted nonprofit that combines advocacy with grantmaking and coalition-building in pursuit of equity, though focused on hunger rather than racial equity.
- Bend the Arc: A large Jewish social-justice organization mobilizing American Jews toward progressive causes. Comparable as a Jewish-values-driven advocacy and organizing nonprofit that overlaps with JoCI on racial equity and community mobilization, though scoped far more broadly than JoC leadership.
- New Israel Fund: A philanthropic organization supporting democratic and pluralistic civil society in Israel. Comparable as a major Jewish grantmaking and advocacy institution with a similar funding-distribution and movement-building model, though geographically focused on Israel rather than U.S. JoC communities.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Jews of Color Initiative social profiles
Digital presenceJews of Color Initiative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Jews of Color Initiative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Jews of Color Initiative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Jews of Color Initiative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Jews of Color Initiative
What does Jews of Color Initiative do?
The Jews of Color Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances racial equity in the U.S. Jewish community by centering the leadership of Jews of Color. It provides grantmaking to JoC-led organizations, conducts and disseminates research (e.g., "Beyond the Count," "Counting Inconsistencies"), runs regional JoC Professional Networks, organizes a National Listening Tour and speaking engagements, and produces educational resources including family resources and a monthly newsletter (Galim).
Is Jews of Color Initiative a public or private company?
Jews of Color Initiative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Jews of Color Initiative founded?
Jews of Color Initiative was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Jews of Color Initiative based?
Jews of Color Initiative is headquartered in Berkeley, United States, in the North America region.
How does Jews of Color Initiative make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are grantmaking (Outbound).
Who are Jews of Color Initiative's main competitors?
J Street is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Be'chol Lashon, Avodah, Keshet and Jewish Women's Archive. Broad incumbents are Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Bend the Arc and New Israel Fund.
Does Jews of Color Initiative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Jews of Color Initiative.
What industry is Jews of Color Initiative in?
Jews of Color Initiative's product category is Nonprofit Advocacy and Grantmaking. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAC, Racial & Ethnic Justice Organizations, with a secondary code of BPAGAFAB, Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations. Its NAICS code is 8132 and its SIC code is 8300.