Did you know that the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor provides more than a million dollars to local and international Jewish communal organizations every year? In 2023, for the second year in a row, that amount surpassed $1.5 million.
If you’ve ever wondered how this happens, we’ve got answers for you!
Where does the $1.5 million come from?
From our generous community! Each year, dedicated volunteers and staff of the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor contact community members to ask them to support the community by donating to the Annual Community Campaign. The 2024 Annual Community Campaign began in September and is currently in full swing, thanks to the generosity of hundreds of members of the greater Ann Arbor Jewish community. The power of this campaign is its collective nature. Donors support the local institutions they value and participate in a national effort to care for the global Jewish community, all with one gift. You, too, can contribute at JewishAnnArbor.org. Every gift of $18 or $1800 matters!
Who decides where the money goes?
Volunteers from our community! Each year, two groups of volunteer Allocations Committees (one for local & domestic and one for Israel & Overseas), consider proposals from organizations and initiatives that provide essential services to the Jewish community. These include proposals requesting unrestricted funds to enable organizations to focus on their missions – such as caring for those in need and providing Jewish educational and engagement opportunities for community members of all ages – and proposals for specific projects, such as strengthening Israeli civil society by fostering productive relationships between Jewish and Arab citizens. “The Allocations Committees are an important way to bring community input in the process,” says Allocations Committee Chair Jeremy Bloom. “We convene thoughtful people with a range of experiences who inform our decision-making.”
The Allocations Committee presents a proposal to the Federation’s volunteer Board of Directors, which votes on the final distribution.
What’s the money for?
Funds go directly to local and international organizations that enrich Jewish life and care for Jews most in need, as well as to community-wide initiatives that make Jewish Washtenaw County as strong and vibrant as it can be. For Federation’s beneficiary partners, these are funds that they don’t have to worry about raising themselves, allowing them instead to focus on the work they do best for our community. “This year,” says Bloom, “we are exploring ways to strengthen the process and looking to provide some funding directly for particular community priorities as determined by the community study and additional communal conversations. This will be in addition to continuing to provide unrestricted funds.”
Have I heard of any of these beneficiaries or initiatives?
Probably some of them! Jewish Family Services and the Jewish Community Center receive allocations from the Annual Community Campaign, along with many other local institutions. So does Krembo Wings, a youth movement in Israel for young people of all abilities. Examples of initiatives made possible by the campaign are coordination to take collective local action combating antisemitism and Community Engagement Grant funds that foster innovation and collaboration across the community.
When does all this happen?
Organizations seeking funding through the allocations process submit proposals that are reviewed in April each year. The Allocations Committees make funding recommendations for the year to the Board of Directors, which votes to approve the recommendations at its May Board meeting. An announcement of the year’s allocations is made to the entire community at the Annual Meeting in late May or early June.
I want to learn more / I might want to be part of this process?
Great! The more diverse volunteer voices, the better for our community. The Allocations Committee will hold an Allocations Town Hall Wednesday, February 28 at 7pm for people who would like to learn more. Visit JewishAnnArbor.org/about-us/community-impact to learn more or contact the Federation at info@jewishannarbor.org to get involved.