OU IMPACT ACCELERATOR

Empowering Social Entrepreneurs

Built on mentorship-based growth and early-stage funding, the OU Impact Accelerator identifies and advances promising Jewish nonprofits who will strengthen our communal landscape.
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The OU Accelerator, Cohort III
From left: Carly Friedman (My Tzedakah), Faigie Zelcer (Penimi), Yael Davidowitz (Last Kindness), Miriam Leah Gamliel (ATARA), Esther Leah Marchette (ATARA), Rabbi Yaacov Deyo (Torah Live: City of Gold), Rabbi Arieh Friedner (TIBC) at the OU Accelerator on-site retreat in August 2021 at the OU Headquarters


FOUNDER’S STORY: REACHING MILLENNIALS

MY TZEDAKAH FUND

After working in Jewish nonprofits for 10 years, Carly Friedman, 32, recognized a problem: Charities were not targeting her generation—millennials. At the same time, as charities focus mainly on big donors, these nonprofits lose out on small, recurring revenue streams. My Tzedakah Fund covers all the bases: automated monthly giving, which keeps givers involved and creates stability for charities, and built-in social incentives that gamify the giving process, which appeals to millennials. Just as Carly launched her platform, she was accepted into Impact Accelerator. “It was tremendously helpful,” she said. “The mentors went above and beyond for us, providing invaluable advice and solidifying our direction. I don’t know where we’d be without Impact Accelerator.”

COHORT III: THIRD GROUP OF NEW VENTURES

TWO ACCELERATOR VENTURES NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED

Two member ventures of the OU Impact Accelerator’s Cohort I— GrowTorah and Work At It—were listed on Slingshot’s “10 to Watch” list, which names organizations and projects in North America that are making positive change and responding to current needs

MY TZEDAKAH FUND
Founded: 2020 | A tzedakah subscription service that aggregates and automates charitable giving, empowering every Jew to give the most charity possible, and ensuring financial sustainability for Jewish charities.
ATARA (THE ARTS & TORAH ASSOCIATION)
Founded: 2016 | A network of Torah-observant female creative and performing artists that builds community and encourages professional advancement in the arts aligned with Torah values.
LAST KINDNESS
Founded: 2021 | An intervention-through-education project of the National Association of Chevra Kadisha aimed at stemming cremation among American Jewry, which is close to 50% and rising.
THE CITY OF GOLD
Founded: 2014 | A self-paced, gamified educational platform for children to craft their own journey through Torah learning by completing a playlist of short films, infographics, quizzes, and real-world challenges.
TORAH INSTITUTE BEYOND CAMPUS
Founded: 2022 | A virtual Beit Midrash for college students that provides a community of spiritual growth and Torah study through classes, discussion groups, matched learning, and mentorship.
PENIMI
Founded: 2013 | Empowering Jewish youth to live lives as Torah-true individuals in the digital age through workshops and trainings to educators and parents across the globe.
OU Impact Accelerator Financials

OU Torah Initiatives