The Mission of the JAMS Foundation

JAMS, the nation’s premier provider of private dispute resolution services, established the non-profit JAMS Foundation to offer financial assistance for conflict resolution initiatives with national or international impact and to share its dispute resolution experience and expertise for the benefit of the public interest. Funded entirely by contributions from JAMS, JAMS neutrals, and employee associates, the Foundation’s mission is to encourage the use of alternative dispute resolution, support education at all levels about collaborative processes for resolving differences, promote innovation in conflict resolution, and advance the settlement of conflict worldwide.

Current Areas of Interest

• Conflict Resolution Education: In order to promote the inclusion of conflict prevention and resolution in classroom instruction and school programs, the Foundation supports training of teachers and school administrators, as well as the development and distribution of curricular and teaching materials that introduce students to dispute resolution concepts and training.
• Peer Mediation: Peer mediation programs in schools have proven effective in reducing violence and teaching peaceful negotiation skills to our nation’s youth. The Foundation may provide grants to support the preparation, printing, and distribution of peer mediation training materials on a national level.
• Community Mediation: The Foundation provides resources and support for community mediation programs and national distribution of community mediation training materials.
• Professional Education: The Foundation supports the advancement of ADR through improvements to professional education and will consider grants to promote innovations in teaching ADR or to stimulate interest and excellence through awards and recognitions.
• Innovations in Resolving Disputes and Making Dispute Resolution Services More Available: Innovations in community and non-profit organizational delivery of dispute resolution services, particularly to underserved populations, is encouraged and supported by the Foundation.
• International Dispute Resolution Programs: The Foundation may award grants to U.S.-based organizations that provide dispute resolution assistance in transitioning and developing countries.

Funding Opportunities

• Foundation Grants: The Foundation will provide financial support up to $50,000 for ADR-related programs or initiatives related to one or more of the Foundation’s current areas of interest.
• Opportunity Grants: The Foundation will provide grants of up to $10,000 for dispute resolution related projects that present unique opportunities to provide services or fill immediate needs that cannot be met through other means.
• Weinstein International Fellowships: The Foundation will provide funding not to exceed $25,000 each for up to two Fellows per year to come to the U.S. to learn more about dispute resolution services and programs.
• Major Dispute Resolution Initiatives: The Foundation will, on occasion, initiate and fund major projects in selected areas of dispute resolution education, training, or services.
• Special ADR Needs: The Foundation will consider financial support and volunteer resources for ADR-related assistance in extraordinary situations such as those experienced in New York following the attacks of September 11, 2001 and in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

Eligibility and Limitations

• The Foundation makes grants only to tax-exempt organizations with 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. Except for International Fellows, the Foundation does not make grants to individuals.
• The Foundation will not consider requests for endowments, capital construction, general overhead, fundraising campaigns, deficit financing, or loans.
• Due to limited funding, the Foundation supports established organizations and does not generally provide grants to start-up organizations.
• Except for Opportunity Grants, the Foundation does not ordinarily consider projects that are primarily of local interest.
• The Foundation will not generally consider requests to fund scholarships or individual participation in trainings or conferences.
• The Foundation will not provide funds to lobby legislation or influence public elections.
• The Foundation’s funding commitments are generally made on a year-to-year basis. The Foundation may grant support to a particular organization for more than one year, which need not be consecutive.

How to Apply for a Grant

Grant seekers should review this document to determine whether or not their project and funding needs are consistent with the Foundation’s interests and funding opportunities. An organization that believes it has a project of interest to the Foundation may submit an inquiry or proposal, either by mail or e-mail. Proposals should be no more than five pages and should include the following information:

• Purpose of potential request
• Why your program is unique and why is it needed
• How the proposal relates to the Foundation’s current areas of interest
• The organization’s history, mission, and goals
• Other organizations in the area with a purpose similar to your organization
• Changes that will occur as a result of funding your proposal
• How you will evaluate the project's success (i.e., how will you know that the project’s goals have been met?)
• Amount of funds sought from the Foundation
• Other funding sources for the project and amounts applied for, received, or committed
• If intended as an ongoing program, your plans for sustaining the program

Evaluation

All proposals are initially reviewed to determine if the proposal falls within the Foundation’s current areas of interest, funding opportunities, and funding limits. Those that do not are so informed. Proposals that are within these guidelines are then further reviewed by the Board of Directors to determine the following:

• The priority of the proposed activity within the Foundation’s goals
• The impact of the potential results of the proposal
• The availability of the Foundation’s funds

The Board may request more detail or amendments for further consideration of proposals that appear to match the Foundation’s priorities but about which questions remain.

The Foundation Board meets quarterly. Granting of funds for Special ADR Needs and Opportunity Grants can be expedited depending on need.

Contacts:

Jay Folberg, Executive Director
Email: jfolberg@jamsfoundation.org

David Brandon, Program Manager
Email: dbrandon@jamsfoundation.org

Telephone: 415-774-2648

Mailing Address:
JAMS Foundation
Two Embarcadero Center, Suite 1500
San Francisco, CA 94111