Jewish Communal Fund Announces Grants of $1.35 million to Jewish Charities From Special Gifts Fund
In addition to JCF's $2 million gift to UJA-Federation, its Special Gifts Fund provides funds for a kosher food pantry, a sensory gym for children with special needs, Jewish day camp scholarships, and more.
NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Jewish Communal Fund (JCF), the largest and most active Jewish donor advised fund in the country, approved grants totaling $1.35 million to local Jewish charities in the New York area through its endowment, the JCF Special Gifts Fund. Since 1999, the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Communal Fund has granted more than $13 million to support programs that promote the welfare and security of the Jewish community at home and abroad. These charities are selected with the assistance of UJA-Federation of New York.
"Our fund holders choose JCF to facilitate their charitable giving because they appreciate our quality service and the streamlining of their philanthropy," said Jenny Lyss, Chair of Jewish Communal Fund's Charitable Distribution/Special Gifts Fund Committee. "In addition to directing their own grants to the charities they care about, their fees enable JCF to make significant grants from its endowment to support the Jewish charitable institutions that are doing such incredible work on the ground, helping to care for children, the elderly, the poor, and others in need in our community and beyond."
This year's Special Gift Fund Grantees include:
- $500,000 for the Digital Choice Food Pantry at the Central Queens Y
Nearly half a million New York Jews live in poverty. JCF's grant will fund the establishment of a digital choice food pantry ordering system, enabling clients to log online and choose foods that meet their families' needs. This new system will reduce lines and food waste, and create a dignified client experience.
- $500,000 for a New Home Base at the Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds' Long Island site
JCF's grant will help fund a new Home Base to accommodate a broad range of programming.
- $100,000 to build a sensory gym at The Harold and Elaine Shames JCC on the Hudson
Nearly 15 percent of the children who attend the JCC have special needs. To better serve them, the JCC is creating a 500-square-foot sensory gym, where children can receive services and participate in play therapy.
- $65,000 to support 26 Coffee Houses for Selfhelp Community Services
Selfhelp's celebrated "Coffee Houses" began in 1993, providing live entertainment and companionship for nearly 7,000 Holocaust survivors. The Selfhelp Coffee Houses give this very last generation of Holocaust survivors something special to look forward to each month.
- $65,000 to provide scholarships for the JCC of Manhattan's Camp Settoga for children from low-income families
JCF's scholarships will enable children from low-income families to experience the joys of Jewish camp at the JCC of Manhattan's Camp Settoga.
- $125,000 to UJA-Federation of New York for the expansion of Witness Theater
Witness Theater is a unique intergenerational program that brings Holocaust survivors and teenagers together under the guidance of a drama therapist to develop a theatrical presentation of the survivors' Holocaust experiences. JCF's grant will bring this powerful educational experience to Westchester.
About Jewish Communal Fund
Jewish Communal Fund is one of the largest networks of Jewish funders, managing $1.5 billion in charitable assets for more than 3,500 donor advised funds. JCF's donor advised funds make giving easy, flexible and efficient. Learn more about JCF by visiting www.jcfny.org or calling (212) 752-8277. Visit JCF on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tamar Snyder
Jewish Communal Fund
646-843-6894
[email protected]
SOURCE Jewish Communal Fund
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