The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh will provide a total of $13.75 million to agencies and programs in Pittsburgh and in Jewish communities around the world. The allocations, announced by the Federation’s Board of Directors, will support human services, day schools, programs in Israel and other community-building organizations. The distribution follows the Board of Directors’ recent approval, July 12.
The allocations consist of resources from the Federation’s Community Campaign and a $900,000 local human services block grant from the Jewish Healthcare Foundation. In addition, the Federation distributes millions in dollars from the Jewish Community Foundation, supplemental donor gifts, government grants and other special campaigns – including an Emergency Relief Campaign for Ukraine.
“The total allocable amount could not have been possible without the generosity of our donors, including the Jewish Healthcare Foundation whose grant supports our local human service agencies. In a year of so much uncertainty, we are grateful that we could provide the largest, unrestricted allocation to our eight local beneficiary agencies. That kind of continuity is exactly what everyone needs right now.”
Jan Levinson, vice chair of Jewish Federation’s Board of Directors and chair of the Planning and Funding Committee
Funding decisions are the result of a year-long process that engages volunteers and professionals with diverse expertise, backgrounds and affiliations.
The Community Campaign raised a record $13.85 million as of July 8, over $500,000 ahead of what was raised at that point last year. This year’s campaign has a $14 million goal, and it distributes funds to programs that feed the hungry, help the unemployed, support people with disabilities, fund Jewish education and more.
“The generosity of the community has already made this year’s Community Campaign the most successful ever,” stated David D. Sufrin, chair of the board.
The Community Campaign will benefit this year and next from the Federation’s recent MEGA MISSION to Israel, the first in 10 years. Nearly 240 community members visited Israel for nine days in June to bond with other Jewish families, experience Israeli culture and witness Federation’s impact in Israel.
“This year’s MEGA MISSION gave many of us the opportunity to experience firsthand how this support has touched lives outside of our local community,” said Jeffrey H. Finkelstein, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. “The impact, thanks to our donors, has been positively remarkable.”