American Jewish World Service

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is a nonprofit, international development and human rights organization which supports community-based organizations in 19 countries in the developing world and works to educate the American Jewish community about global justice. It is the first and only Jewish organization dedicated solely to ending poverty and promoting human rights in the developing world. Its headquarters are in New York City. AJWS has received a Four Star rating from Charity Navigator since 2002.

Inspired by the Jewish commitment to justice, American Jewish World Service works to realize human rights and end poverty in the developing world.

AJWS has a two-pronged strategy: they provide over $35 million annually to more than 500 social justice organizations in 19 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and advocate for laws and policies in the United States that will improve the lives of people around the world.

AJWS’s international grantmaking and U.S. advocacy focus on five central issues, including civil and political rights, land and water rights, sexual health and rights, ending child marriage, and disaster relief.

AJWS’ grant-making is guided by the beliefs that, first, grassroots organizations are best placed to envision, articulate and implement their own plans for the development of their communities, and second, that community development cannot take place when human rights are denied. In addition, AJWS believes women are critical drivers of community development and change, and that marginalized communities that are vulnerable to poverty and human rights violations are powerful agents of change and development when mobilized from within.

AJWS works to promote awareness and influence U.S. international policies and funding in relation to human rights, global health and poverty, by rallying members of the community to advocate for policies that will improve the lives of millions of people in the developing world.

AJWS is currently working to urge Congress to pass the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) and the International Human Rights Defense Act (IHRDA).

...
Wikipedia