As Jewish Federation Announces Allocations, Foundation Achieves New Record

Pittsburgh – Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s foundation brought in $31.5 million in new dollars in the 2022-2023 year, topping $30 million for the first time ever, as part of the Federation’s $47.2 million total in financial resource development. The Federation’s Jewish Community Foundation total assets as of June 30, 2023 reached $326 million, solidly placing it among the ten largest foundations in greater Pittsburgh based on Pittsburgh Business Times research.

“This achievement demonstrates our community’s commitment to philanthropy,” said Ahmie Baum, chair of the Foundation. “They recognize how the Federation can help them and their families express their Jewish values while being good stewards of their philanthropic dollars and helping them make an impact in the areas that they are passionate about.”

The Federation also released funding for local and overseas Jewish agencies for 2023-2024 from its annual Community Campaign, projected to reach $13.9 million. A $900,000 block grant from the Jewish Healthcare Foundation will support local human service organizations.

Debbie Resnick, chair of the 2023-2024 Community Campaign, said, “We give because we care about the Jewish community thriving for years to come. The dollars we raise impact every single aspect of the Jewish community and beyond.”

The distributions from the Community Campaign have remained stable for many years. This upcoming year will be the first year of the Federation’s transformation of the Planning and Impact function. Although no major changes to core partner funding appear in this year’s funding distributions, the Federation will begin to dedicate funds to designated community priorities and will reserve some funding for emergency and timely needs that may not be anticipated now.

“Jewish Federation’s strategic changes in the planning and impact areas will enable us to respond to what we heard from people across our community,” said Jane Rollman, chair of the Elevate Planning Implementation Committee. “These individuals wanted the Federation to play more of a convening role, bringing people together to make progress on solving some of the fundamental root causes of challenges to Jewish life in Pittsburgh.”

The Federation piloted a mid-year funding process combining Community Campaign and Jewish Community Foundation funding streams and committees. Mid-year distributions in 2022-2023 included strategic investments such as a pilot senior center model for the Jewish Community Center’s South Hills branch and a new sound system at Community Day School. More tactical mid-year funding also addressed urgent, unanticipated needs such as a passenger van for The Branch’s Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse and a cost increase for Onward Israel.

The Foundation’s record-breaking year will enable the Federation to expand its future support for Jewish Pittsburgh and Jewish communities around the world. Foundation funding this year offset reductions in funding to some programs, enabling the Federation to continue strengthening Jewish life, support those in need, and building a safer, more inclusive world.