MAY 2025 NEWSLETTER

This past Memorial Day Weekend, we honored the brave men and women who gave their lives to defend the freedoms we cherish as Americans. While we take pride in American exceptionalism, it is vital to acknowledge a growing isolationist movement that now threatens to undermine the very values and global leadership Americans sacrificed to protect.

Our latest article, “The Perils of "America Only": A Path to Global Chaos” warns of a dangerous ideological shift taking root within the American right. What began as a sensible “America First” doctrine to prioritize American interests has, in some circles, morphed into an “America Only” worldview that views global engagement as a threat. In the article, we discuss how implementing this ideology would prove catastrophic for the world and dangerous for America. When America retreats from its role as a global leader, adversaries fill the void, leaving us vulnerable in a world shaped by those who do not share our values.

In a recent interview with the Jewish Future Promise, “The Impact Forum: Strengthening Jewish Resilience Through Strategic Giving,” we explored the mission and growing influence of the Impact Forum Foundation. Created to fill a critical gap in the nonprofit space, the Impact Forum connects high-impact organizations with a committed network of like-minded donors. Through collaboration, innovation, and force multiplication, the Impact Forum has built an exclusive network of philanthropists and nonprofits dedicated to combating antisemitism, strengthening Israel, and protecting American values.

At the heart of both ideas is a fundamental truth: collaboration is more powerful than isolation. While individuals can make a difference, meaningful, lasting impact requires shared vision and united effort. Whatever challenges we face, Jewish or global, turning inward or walking away is never the answer. Only by coming together can we make true, lasting change.

Lastly, we invite you to explore the Impact Forum Foundation’s 2025 Venture Fund Collaboration Accelerator. This unique opportunity supports innovative partnerships between nonprofits aligned with Impact Forum’s mission. Selected collaborations will be invited to present at the November Impact Forum event, where they can fundraise for their project and receive dollar-for-dollar matching of up to $125,000. Applications are due by July 31, 2025.

Gila and Adam Milstein

The Impact Forum is an exclusive network of philanthropists in Los Angeles, Dallas and Miami. Its mission is to bring together like-minded philanthropists and connect them to an ecosystem of exceptional nonprofit organizations that fight antisemitism, strengthen American values, and support the State of Israel.

At the Impact Forum events we convene a family of like-minded donors who join together to mobilize, empower, and support this ecosystem of innovative and effective nonprofits. 

Our next Impact Forum event will be held on August 7th, 2025 in Los Angeles. We will feature presentations by Students Supporting Israel (SSI), and IMPACT-se.

If you would like to join the Impact Forum Foundation network of donors, or attend any of our future events, please fill out the form using the below button.

We’re also excited to share that the Impact Forum is expanding to Florida, and we’re actively building a network of mission-aligned philanthropists and community leaders in the region. If you know anyone who may be interested in joining this growing community, we’d be grateful if you could connect us. Your referrals will help us bring together like-minded individuals who want to make a meaningful impact.

Stand by Me is a nonprofit organization led by Gila Milstein since 2009. Its mission is to provide daily support to Israeli-American cancer patients and their families living in Los Angeles.

Please consider donating to ensure that Stand by Me can continue to fulfill its mission to make sure no one faces cancer alone in our community.

Watch this heartwarming video here to learn more about Stand By Me

Stand By Me is in need of psychologists and therapists who can donate their time to provide emotional support and assistance to our members and their families.

If you would like to join our family of volunteers, please fill out this form or call our office at (818) 664-4100. 

"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world."

For more information, please visit our website at www.StandByMeLA.org

This interview was originally published by the Jewish Future Promise on May 20th, 2025.

"One of the biggest challenges I noticed was the amount of time these smaller organizations had to spend on fundraising. There was no central space within the Jewish philanthropic world that helped connect them to a broader network of potential supporters...

That gap inspired me, along with other members of our Jewish philanthropic community, to create the Impact Forum Foundation. The foundation brings together a network of like-minded donors who are committed to empowering and mobilizing an ecosystem of mission-aligned nonprofits. By incentivizing collaboration and shared learning among these organizations, we help create synergy, amplify their efforts, and drive real, measurable impact, as well as providing our donors with the opportunity to make a personal difference."

The 2025 Venture Fund Collaboration Accelerator is an exciting opportunity for nonprofits to come together and bring bold, mission-aligned projects to life. Designed to foster collaboration, amplify impact, and drive innovation, the Accelerator supports collaborative initiatives that combat antisemitism, support the State of Israel, strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance, and champion American values.

Selected projects will have the opportunity to present live at the Impact Forum Dinner in Los Angeles. At the event, each venture will have the chance to rally real-time donor support and receive up to $125,000 in matching funds from the Venture Fund. Projects that raise $250,000 or more without matching will be awarded a $25,000 bonus.

Projects should be new or existing scalable initiatives with a clear implementation plan and measurable outcomes. The deadline to apply is July 31, 2025. For more information, or to be considered for the program click here to apply.

MFF is proud to support the Impact Forum Venture Fund Accelerator Program