(Courtesy of JCF) Jewish Communal Fund (JCF), the leading collective of Jewish funders, released its inaugural Giving Report recently, providing insight—for the first time ever—into the makeup, demographics and charitable trends taking place among its generous funder network of nearly 9,000 people. With fundholders living throughout the United States and in Israel, JCF’s data offers a rare look into the funding preferences and giving trends among American Jews.
“We are pleased to present this in-depth look into our funder community—a community of funders who share a deep commitment to charity,” said Sue Dickman, the executive vice president & CEO of Jewish Communal Fund. “While we routinely share a list of all organizations that receive more than $10,000 from JCF in our Annual Report, this Giving Report paints a more comprehensive picture of the tremendous generosity that our fundholders exhibit, both within the Jewish community and beyond.”
One of the longest-serving donor-advised funds in the country, JCF is now facilitating charitable giving for many third-generation JCF fund holders—showcasing the passion for philanthropy that they learned from their parents and grandparents before them. Now entering its 46th year, JCF plays a critical role in facilitating charitable giving for a wide spectrum of Jewish philanthropists of varying means, interests and religious affiliations.
Here are some statistics highlighted in the report that shed light on the uniqueness that is the JCF funder community:
JCF fund holders distributed 26 percent of charitable assets (totaling $397 million in grants) in 2017.
JCF fund holders make an average of 15 grants per fund per year, with a median grant amount of $600.
10 percent of funds distributed 50 percent or more of the balance in their funds to charities in FY 17.
JCF fund holders made 35,170 grants (67 percent of all grants) to Jewish organizations, totaling nearly $170 million.
The sectors that received the largest number of dollars from JCF fund holders in FY 17 were education, Israel and community organizations.
JCF fund holders granted $22 million to UJA-Federation of NY in 2017, in addition to JCF’s $2 million annual gift to UJA.
Most JCF fund holders (60 percent) contribute to their donor-advised funds on an annual basis, or more frequently.
Jewish Communal Fund announced $1.35 million in Special Gifts Fund grants in 2017.
To delve into this report and learn more about the JCF philanthropic community, charitable giving trends and the ways in which JCF fund holders are collectively making our community and the world a better place, please visit our website to download the report: jcfny.org/givingreport17.
YU to Present Discussion on Life and Legacy of Antonin Scalia
(Courtesy of YU) Yeshiva University’s Zahava and Moshael Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought will welcome Christopher Scalia, son of late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, for a conversation at the YU Museum on December 11. Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik, director of the Straus Center, and Scalia will talk about Justice Scalia’s life and faith and a new book that he co-edited, “Scalia Speaks: Reflections on Law, Faith, and Life Well Lived,” a collection of the Justice’s speeches.
Justice Scalia was nominated to the Court by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 and served for 30 years. One of the most influential justices of the past century, he was known for his legal writing and his humor, and as the most prominent proponent of the originalist approach to the Constitution.
Along with a discussion about the Justice’s speeches regarding faith, family education and the law, the conversation will also address what it was like to be raised by a father who was such an influential legal mind, Scalia’s friendships with individuals that held different political views from his own and what people of all faiths might learn from him.
“Justice Scalia’s visit to The Straus Center in 2013 was one of the most memorable moments in Yeshiva’s history,” said Rabbi Soloveichik. “We are looking forward to learning more about his life, his faith and his worldview, with the Justice’s son, Chris Scalia, whose collection of his father’s speeches has received raved reviews and become a bestseller.”
“The Life and Legacy of Antonin Scalia: Judge, Father and Friend” is open to the public and will take place at 7:30 p.m., Monday, December 11, at the Yeshiva University Museum at the Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street. The event is free but advanced registration is suggested. For tickets or for more information, visit www.yu.edu/scalia.
