Values

Radical Transparency

We believe that organizations thrive when openness and teamwork are paramount values. Organizations that permit their employees, volunteers, partners, constituents and supporters the ability to know detailed information about themselves build trust and loyalty.

Values-based Entrepreneurship

We think that businesses operating in the nonprofit sector, and especially those with a Jewish focus, should live by the values they promote. That means working green, paying fair wages and equitable benefits, and building workplaces dedicated to respect, diversity, and inclusiveness.

Rapid Prototyping/Public Beta

We think that the collaborative process creates the best results, so rather than separating the planning and implementation of new ideas, we encourage the “get it going and tweak as you go” philosophy.

Failure as a Learning Tool

We respect failure as a powerful learning tool. Innovation is by nature a risk-tolerant endeavor, and true experimentation means learning from what doesn’t work as much as from what does. Best practices don’t exist in a vacuum: they are by definition better than other available options, and we won’t know which are which unless we try them.

Organizations as Means, not Ends

Most of the social entrepreneurs with whom we work are seeking a culture or paradigm shift and see their current organizations as just one vehicle to achieve that goal. About the best thing that their venture could achieve is to render itself unnecessary through their work. In other words, success sometimes means putting yourself out of business.

Creative Commons

We believe that creativity is cumulative, and that the more we share and adapt what we create, the exponentially greater value to all of us (as long as we do so with full attribution and recognition to the creators). See: http://creativecommons.org/ and “The End,” ©1969, Abbey Road, The Beatles.

Evolving Creative Relationship

The organizations that Jumpstart works with are diverse in their missions and practices, but they share many values in common. They believe it’s in the nature of innovation to test boundaries; they believe in making civic society vibrant and relevant; and they believe that we gain strength and purpose by working together.

Jumpstart Non-discrimination Policy

It is the policy of Jumpstart Labs not to engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person on the basis of age, race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, genetic condition, genetic information, medical condition, religion, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy status (including, but not limited to, pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), or veteran status, consistent with organizational necessity and the safe performance of tasks related to the mission of Jewish Jumpstart. This policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, as well as with Jewish Jumpstart’s standards of quality and excellence. All Jumpstart Labs directors, employees, and affiliates (including, but not limited to, independent contractors) are expected to conduct themselves in the workplace in a manner that is consistent with this policy.

In keeping with this policy, Jumpstart Labs seeks to recruit, hire, train, and promote into available jobs the most qualified persons and to administer all operations, programs, and personnel matters (including, but not limited to, recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, merit increase, compensation, benefits, training and development, demotion, and separation) in accordance with this policy. Jumpstart Labs is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.