Home About Bikkurim Mission and Goals Sponsors FAQs Board of Directors Residency Program Overview Resources Provided Requirements Applying for Residency Resident Groups Current Groups Alumni Past Affiliates In Focus In Focus Archive In the Media Password Protected Contact RESIDENCY PROGRAM : Overview Bikkurim serves as a non-profit incubator for resident groups, providing a physical and spiritual home as well as intensive support, technical assistance, and access to professional and organizational networks. Housing Bikkurim at JESNA and UJC provides residents with valuable counsel from seasoned professionals as well as exposure to a wide audience of Jewish organizations and leaders. Stages of Organizational Development Resident groups are divided into three stages of organizational development: Stage I (start-up) Stage II (developing) Stage III (operational) Organizations are usually accepted into the incubator in either Stage I or Stage II and receive services and stipends commensurate with their stage. Groups entering the incubator in Stage I can stay for a maximum of 4.5 years, and are expected to enter Stage III by the beginning of their fourth year in the incubator. Resident groups sign an annual contract that outlines benchmarks and goals for the upcoming year. Continued residency in Bikkurim is contingent upon meeting those benchmarks, completing mid-year and year-end evaluations, and fully participating in Bikkurim meetings, workshops, and events. Measuring Success The incubator is designed to house and service a diverse group of residents who enter at different starting points in terms of their organizational development. Each resident group participates in a mid-year and year-end review with Bikkurim staff, at which point they assess progress on organizational and programmatic goals and evaluate the fit between resident and incubator. Many initiatives become independent organizations during their period of residency with Bikkurim, while others find that being "adopted" by a larger institution is the best way to ensure continued growth and success. Graduates are deemed successful if, by the end of the incubation period, they: Are able to realize programmatic goals Manage programs and operations effectively Have impact or influence on the Jewish community Are financially stable Have a solid operating and governance structure Effectively engage stakeholders in advancing their vision A minority of Bikkurim groups disband altogether. Bikkurim is proud of its risk-taking and recognizes that not every group accepted into the incubator will reach a state of sustainability.