Announcing Fundraising and Impact in 2015

San Francisco, CA – The Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties (the Federation) concluded a successful 2014-2015 fiscal year, having raised a total of $23.6M in philanthropic resources, allowing it to award a projected $19.26M in direct grants during the current fiscal year, in addition to operating internal programs and facilitating personal philanthropy, all designed to advance its mission. This work, which includes capacity building, leadership development, extensive research, and collaboration with philanthropic and organizational partners, creates a profound impact on Jewish life in the Bay Area, Israel, and globally.

“The Federation continues to grow and evolve to meet the shifting needs of our Jewish community and to be an effective force for good in the world,” said Danny Grossman, CEO of the Federation. “Because of the support and commitment of our wonderful Bay Area Jewish community, we are able to raise the dollars necessary to make a significant impact on the lives of thousands of people. Through a dedicated corps of volunteers and professionals, we approach our community’s challenges from many angles at once, addressing issues through strategic planning, grantmaking, programs, capacity building, developing leaders, convening our community’s precious brain trust, and collaborating with a multitude of partners to effect genuine change. This holistic approach is what makes the Federation unique.”

For the fiscal year from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015, the Federation:

• Raised $23.6M in philanthropic resources, including both unrestricted gifts and gifts designated to specific programs.
• Connected with 5,471 unique donors, including 382 new donors.

These dollars are used to award a projected $19.26M in direct grants for this fiscal year (2015-2016) – approved on July 16 – to outstanding organizations serving our Jewish community. These grants are divided into three primary areas of impact: Caring for the Vulnerable, Inspiring Jewish Life and Learning, and Strengthening Israeli Society.

During the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the Federation also operated internal programs, including:

• Capacity Building services to over 80 Jewish nonprofits, achieving substantial enhancements in productivity and impact. These services include our Pro Bono Consulting Practice, which saved more than $100,000 by leveraging 500+ hours of free professional expertise for our partners.
• The Synagogue-Federation Partnership, which advised and educated over 150 lay and professional leaders at 30 synagogues on issues ranging from leadership to growth and financial sustainability. And our planned giving trainings helped eight nonprofits raise tens of thousands of dollars in legacy commitments.
• Leadership Development for more than 40 participants through Fed Fellows, the Grand Leadership Institute, LGBTQ Pathways to Jewish Leadership, and other programs.
• Sending more than 500 teens and young adults to Israel through Birthright, Diller Teen Fellows, Gift of Israel and other programs.
• Providing more than 500 scholarships for Jewish overnight camp, including 14 for single parents to attend Jewish family camp weekends, 8 for the Healing Center's Grief and Growing™ Weekend, and 3 for special needs family camp weekends.
• Serving over 20,000 kids at Jewish early childhood education centers in the Bay Area; distributing free PJ Library books to 4,775 local children; and, providing Jewish Resource Specialist services at 10 schools, with more than 1,000 participating children.
• Engaging more than 1,500 young adults, who joined dozens of service projects, professional development events, and other local Federation programming.

In addition to direct grantmaking and programs, the Federation also administered more than $143M in grants to both Jewish and secular organizations through personal philanthropic vehicles under Federation management, including:

• $85.2M in grants through 22 Supporting Foundations to 362 organizations.
• $58.2M in grants through 891 Donor Advised Funds to 2,467 organizations.

The Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund connects people of all ages, backgrounds, and perspectives to the power of the Jewish community to improve the world. We partner with donors, organizations, and foundations to address pressing issues facing our community, and develop innovative strategies that result in deep and lasting impact locally, in Israel, and around the world. Learn more at www.jewishfed.org.