The Diamant Foundation, inspired by the resilience of Holocaust survivor, immigrant, and scientist Joram Diamant, focuses on breaking down barriers to academic and professional success.
They offer two primary micro-grant programs to support individuals overcoming life’s challenges:
Educational Scholarship Programs
These micro-grants provide direct financial support ranging from $500 to $5,000 per recipient. The funding can be applied toward:
- Tuition assistance for community colleges and universities.
- Textbooks and essential educational materials.
- Technology needs required for remote learning.
- Professional certification and trade school expenses.
Transportation & Vehicle Assistance
Recognizing that reliable transportation is often the missing link between unemployment and a successful career, this program helps recipients by:
- Purchasing dependable used vehicles for work commutes.
- Covering essential vehicle repairs and maintenance.
- Obtaining necessary vehicle insurance and registration.
- Accessing driver’s education and licensing support.
Applying for a micro-grant from the Diamant Foundation is a straightforward process designed to be accessible. Since the foundation aims to provide support where other funding may fall short, there is no strict deadline, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Here are the details on how a person can apply through their online portal:
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for a grant, an applicant must meet the following baseline criteria:
- Age: Must be at least 18 years old.
- Residency: Must be a resident of the United States.
- Background: Must have faced various hardships or challenges in their life journey.
The Application Process
The core of the application relies on personal storytelling rather than complex financial documentation or rigid academic transcripts. Applicants are required to submit a brief essay of no more than 500 words answering three specific prompts.
The Required Essay Prompts:
- Where are you going in life? (Detailing your goals, aspirations, or the career path you are pursuing).
- How are you going to get where you are going? (Explaining your practical plan, educational steps, or the specific milestones you need to hit to reach your goal).
- Joram’s Favorite Riddle: You must provide your interpretation or answer to the late Joram Diamant’s favorite riddle: “I give very good advice to just about anyone, but I don’t use much of it myself.” The foundation notes that there are no wrong answers to this prompt; it is meant to showcase your personality and critical thinking.
Grant Award Details
- While educational specific grants can range up to $5,000, standard grants are typically awarded in amounts between $500 and $2,000.
- Because the application is processed on a rolling basis, you can submit an application at any time when you are facing a financial hurdle that is blocking your path to success.
