August 16, 2012

JERUSALEM (JTA) — The Leichtag Family Foundation announced a new partnership with PresenTense Israel and pledged $230,000 over two years to increase social entrepreneurship and innovation in under-served Jerusalem communities.

“We believe that the great challenges presented in Jerusalem provide us with an opportunity to innovate and propose new grassroots initiatives spearheaded by local activists,” said Charlene Seidle, executive director of the California-based Leichtag Foundation, in a statement.

Seidle added “by encouraging young social entrepreneurs and providing them with the tools that they need to succeed, we have already begun to see real improvements in Jerusalem that will hopefully serve as a model for Israel as a whole.”

Since 2007, PresenTense has helped 296 social entrepreneurs, including over 60 Jerusalemites, launch or grow ventures to help their local communities. In 2012, PresenTense Israel made a concerted effort to reach out to under-served sectors of Jerusalem.

“By providing training and support to Jerusalem-based social entrepreneurs we empower them to transform the city into a thriving hub for innovation and creativity,” said Brachie Sprung, associate director of business development at PresenTense Israel in a statement.
 

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