Jewish Federation Announces Over $6 Million for the Jewish Community

Over $6 million worth of grants, scholarships and allocations for our community and to Jewish Federation programs, services and operations were recently approved and announced by the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle: $5.575 million from the Community Campaign, over $300,000 for specific projects, $200,000 from the Women’s Endowment Foundation and $67,000 in camp scholarships.

The Community Campaign closed this year at $5.575 million. This reflects a 10% drop in funds that can be allocated to partner agencies (see list below) in our community. While any decrease is disappointing, given the economic situation and the situation of other Jewish Federations, some of whom are down as much as 35%, the Jewish Federation leadership is pleased with the result and the increased community participation.

While the total amount of funds raised was down, the number of donors increased. Hundreds of new donors supported the Community Campaign, as well as hundreds of people who renewed gifts this year that had not given in recent years. Hundreds also made increased or second gifts to the campaign as the year progressed and the economic situation worsened.

“Especially in difficult economic times, it is heartening to see an increase in the number of donors participating in our Community Campaign. That is certainly a silver lining,” stated Richard Fruchter, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle.

The allocation of dollars to our community through the Community Campaign is done by the Planning and Allocations Committee (PAC) made up of 20 diverse members of our community. They use a series of Federation and partner agency-developed criteria to evaluate where the funds are needed most to meet our community’s priorities. This “Dwaffler process” provides a framework of a dozen objective criteria. The mission of organizations, their funding requests and their services are evaluated as to the stability and efficacy in meeting their clients’ and our community’s needs.

“With the fewer campaign dollars to allocate, we had a very challenging task. We felt fortunate to have the Dwaffler process which enabled us to prioritize our community’s highest needs—both here and abroad—to make objective, thoughtful and balanced decisions,” explained Lisa Fein, PAC Chair.

Partner agencies received on average a 10% decrease in allocations. Four local agencies received slight increases, based on their improvement on their overall Dwaffler score. The Jewish Federation’s operating budget will see an 11.2% decrease including the elimination of three positions. $1.271 million was allocated for overseas from the Community Campaign.

“Thanks for this TERRIFIC news on our 2010 allocation,” emphasized Matt Grogan, interim executive director of the Stroum Jewish Community Center, upon receiving the formal news of their increased allocation. “I also want to thank you and PAC for this year’s generous allocation and the meaningful message of support for our organization and programming. Thanks for all you do for the ‘J’ and the entire community!” continued Lindsey Schwartz, SJCC Board President.

The Community Campaign is just one part of the Jewish Federation’s overall fundraising. Other giving comes from our endowment, fundraising for specific projects and emergency needs, scholarships, Women’s Endowment Foundation, outside grants and more. Endowment distributions usually totaling an additional $2-3 million each year are not included in the announcement here.

Funding for specific projects and needs brought in an additional $300,000, including: $68,000 for The PJ Library™, $26,000 for Israel through our Critical Israel Needs Fund, $16,000 to relocate Yemen and Georgian Jews in danger, $30,000 for continued care for the victims of the shooting at the Jewish Federation in 2006, and $15,000 for legislative activities and SAFE Washington. In partnership with the Samuel Israel Foundation, we also distributed an additional $67,000 for children to go to Jewish overnight camps this summer.

The Women’s Endowment Foundation recently announced $200,000 to help Jewish women and girls locally and in Israel. One grant, a $43,500 grant to Project DVORA at Jewish Family Service, is helping the program survive in light of dramatic government funding cuts.

During these challenging economic times, agencies are experiencing dramatic increases in the community’s use of critical services and scholarships. The Jewish Federation is redirecting $65,000 from the Special Initiatives Fund’s Long-Term Community Impact Grant in order to offer assistance to local organizations in meeting the increased needs. Criteria will be developed shortly with an expedited funding process to release funds as soon as possible.

2009-2010 Partner Agencies
American Jewish Committee
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
Anti-Defamation League
B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO) - Evergreen Region
Caroline Kline Galland Center and Affiliates
Hillel at the University of Washington
Hillel at Washington State University
Hillel at Western Washington University
Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle
Jewish Family Service
Jewish Studies Program at the University of Washington
JTNews
Kiryat Malachi Emergency Medical Clinic
Menachem Mendel Seattle Cheder
Northwest Yeshiva High School
Seattle Association for Jews with Disabilities
Seattle Hebrew Academy
Seattle Jewish Community School
Selah: Israel Crisis Management Center
Stroum Jewish Community Center
Table to Table (in Israel)
Taglit-Birthright Israel
TIPS Partnership with Kiryat Malachi-Hof Ashkelon
United Jewish Communities
Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center
Washington State Jewish Historical Society
YEDID: Kiryat Malachi Citizens Rights Center

###

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle works to ensure a vibrant Jewish community that is connected locally, in Israel and worldwide.
 

$6 million Announced FINAL.doc