Jewish federations raise $925 million in 2010

Network of fundraisers considers annual campaign a success given “the continued economic challenges” brought about by global financial crisis.

By GIL STERN STERN SHEFLER
Jewish Federations Logo 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Jewish Federations Logo 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
The Jewish Federations of North America announced on Thursday it had raised approximately $925 million dollars in 2010, a decrease of $13 million from its intake in 2009.
While 2010 was the second year in a row that overall donations were down, the umbrella group which represents a network of autonomous Jewish fundraisers throughout the US and Canada said it considered the annual campaign a success given “the continued economic challenges” brought about by the 2008 global financial crisis.
RELATED:Column One: American Jewry’s fight‘We have to go on the offensive against boycotts’
“We are incredibly proud that thanks to our generous donors and the hard work of federation professionals and lay leaders, the Jewish Federations continue to help enrich and sustain Jewish life around the world,” said Kathy Manning, Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Jewish Federations of North America.
Donations to JFNA peaked in 2008 when it raised $1.04 billion dollars. Shortly afterward the global economy took a plunge directly affecting the group’s annual fundraising campaign which has still not recovered.
JFNA announced on Thursday that its endowment whose net worth is estimated at $13.5 billion yielded $1.5 billion in earnings in 2010. Combined, the organization it will have over $2 billion to support activities in 70 countries around the world either directly or through the Jewish Agency for Israel and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, which are recipients of its funds designated for overseas use.