American Jewish World Service

AJWS ameliorates poverty and promotes international development and human rights in Asia, Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean. Fulfilling the Jewish imperative to help repair our world, and advancing the value and dignity of every human, AJWS works across the globe to root out poverty and oppression. Its grantmaking to community-based organizations and its advocacy work address prejudice, unfair laws, gender and minority discrimination, and human rights. AJWS is bold in tackling climate change, forced child marriage, civil and political rights, water and environmental rights, and does this successfully because it works in close partnership with local communities to support their social movements. Its humanitarian work is promoting equity and justice, empowering communities and inspiring hope.

“As President and CEO of American Jewish World Service, I am immensely grateful to the Lisa Stone Pritzker Family Foundation for its unwavering partnership. Inspired by Jewish values and a deep belief in the human dignity of each and every person, AJWS is proud to affect change in the lives of the world’s most vulnerable populations, ensuring that children have opportunities—no matter where they were born and what financial means they were born into.

AJWS is able to support more than 500 social change organizations each year, and they in turn are tirelessly working to defend democracy, advance equity for women, girls, LGBTQI+ people and other persecuted minorities, heal the wounds of conflict, disasters and humanitarian crises, and ensure that children and families can thrive. The Foundation staff are true partners in this work; they care with their hearts and souls about each person whose lives they touch, and their passion inspires us deeply to persevere in repairing our broken world.”

—Robert Bank, CEO*