The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix has announced that its 2016 allocations total $2.17 million, with almost $1.7 million funding local Jewish programs and services, and $490,000 committed to Israel and overseas. These figures represent a slight increase over last year’s allocation of $2.1 million.
“Our thanks to the Jewish community for their support of the federation’s annual campaign, which makes these allocations possible. Together, we help Jews in need and build vibrant Jewish communities here, in Israel and around the world,” says David Weiner, 2016 annual campaign chair for JFGP.
Among local programs, the federation’s Strategic Partners received a total of $1,082,800. School partners were allocated $119,460, each receiving $165 per student enrolled. In addition, Pardes Jewish Day School received $25,000 to help offset the cost of moving to the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus.
In 2015, the federation realigned its funding structure to focus on three core impact areas: serving seniors, engaging Jewish young adults and advocating for Israel. In 2016, these areas were allocated $361,600. Senior services received $120,500, including continued funding of the senior concierge position at Jewish Family & Children’s Service and $58,000 for a senior transportation initiative. Smile on Seniors, religious services at Kivel senior-care facility and the Bureau of Jewish Education’s new Wise Aging program also received funds.
The federation’s NowGen initiative to engage Jewish young adults received $191,100, including funding to provide loans for those in the NowGen demographic through Jewish Free Loan and a grant to the Swift Youth Foundation.
JFGP renewed its funding for the Israel education coordinator to help counteract anti-Israel sentiment at Arizona State University. The position is a joint program with Hillel at ASU and Jewish Arizonans on Campus.
Federation programs, including the Israel Center, received $61,125.
Internationally, the Jewish Agency for Israel and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee were among organizations funded to serve Jews in need in Israel and elsewhere overseas.
“We are fortunate to have so many insightful, dedicated volunteers as members of the Community Planning Commission, who give up their time to ensure the community’s money is given to programs that touch so many members of our community,” says Barry Markson, chair of the Community Planning Commission, which oversees the federation’s funding structure.
In addition to allocations made through the Community Planning Commission, the federation’s new NowGen Giving Circle funded $31,500 for local and international programs.
