The Good People Fund, established in 2008, has just reached its 18th year in existence. A nonprofit organization rooted in tikkun olam, the GPF is dedicated to identifying and supporting creative visionaries who address societal challenges. Through financial support, mentorship, education and a strong community network, the GPF helps grassroots organizations expand their impact.
Since its founding, the GPF has proven successful through its commitment to relationship-driven philanthropy. With a small but highly effective team, the organization has distributed over $33 million to support and help grow 260 different grassroots nonprofits tackling issues like food insecurity, homelessness and hatred.
The GPF operates in both the United States and Israel, where its grantees work to build more inclusive communities.
On its 18th anniversary, the GPF is also announcing its new chair, Beth Gansky, succeeding Larry Paul. Formerly the executive director of the Shoshana S. Cardin Jewish Leadership Institute, Gansky spent years training future leaders to be chairs of boards at synagogues, schools and other agencies.
That experience, along with over 30 years working in the Baltimore Jewish community, she says, has prepared her to step into her new role.
“[It’s] an exciting thing for me to be able to use my skill set,” said Gansky, a Pikesville resident and a member of the Chizuk Amuno Congregation and Beth El Congregation. “I’m a leadership coach … so I feel that I know all of the pieces of what it takes to run an excellent nonprofit.”
The story of how Gansky originally got involved with the GPF did not begin when she joined the board in 2022.
Rather, Gansky explained, “When I was 16 years old, I went on a USY trip to Israel. I got exposed to people in Israel who were making huge changes in their community. And it always stayed with me.”
Although she didn’t immediately pursue this passion, years later Gansky found herself wanting to give back and engage with an organization that aligned with her values. When Gansky was shifting from working full-time in her professional career to having her own coaching practice, she decided to follow her dream.
“I thought about it for a long time, and I realized [the organization I was looking for] was the Good People Fund, and so I reached out and I connected with them. It wasn’t that I didn’t know about them. I knew about them for a long time, but it was when I had my own time to give that I made an offer [to work there],” Gansky said.
Now, after joining the board three years ago, Gansky steps into the chair role at the GPF. In addition to leading the board, she sees herself as an ambassador for the GPF’s grantees.
Gansky explained that she would be sharing their stories and forging new connections with donors and experts who can amplify their work.
“We need more people to know about us,” she said.
Better awareness could help fundraising efforts, according to Gansky.
With around 65 grantees, the GPF relies heavily on donors to help provide a support system for these nonprofits.
Looking ahead, the GPF has plans to deepen its impact and expand its reach in both the U.S. and Israel. In 2026, the organization will lead its first mission to Israel, bringing donors and leaders face-to-face with the grantees they support.
The GPF will also host a gathering in Boston this September to bring donors together and provide outreach for their grassroots grantees. The organization also publishes an annual newsletter, “The Journal of Good,” which highlights its work and keeps the community informed about its advocacy, partnerships and impact.
With new opportunities for donors to provide financial support, Gansky is hopeful that, throughout her term as chair, she will continue to see donor support.
“That’s the goal: to gather our donors and our supporters and make sure that we continue to share the stories of what we’re doing,” Gansky said.
Amy Hollander is a Baltimore Jewish Times intern.
