By Stephanie Smartschan
JFLV Director of Community Development and Operations

New donors to the Jewish Federation and those increasing their gifts will have an opportunity to maximize their impact this fall.

From now until Dec. 31, all of these gifts will be matched by 50 percent. The matched funds will go directly to our local agencies and synagogues to address increased human service needs in the wake of COVID-19.

“Our goal is to raise an additional $120,000 in new, lapsed and increased gifts so that we can access the additional $60,000 to our campaign,” said Vicki Wax, Annual Campaign co-chair.  “That $180,000 will prove to be an additional lifeline to our agencies and synagogues.”

The money will provide emergency financial aid for individuals in need, increased food assistance, support for mental and physical health and safety and emergency operating support for local Jewish human service and educational agencies, Wax said.

The money is being made available through the Jewish Federations of North America’s new Human Services Relief Matching Fund. In total, $18 million in matching funds will incentivize Federations to raise an additional $36 million, for a total of $54 million injected into North American Jewish communities. National foundations are providing the Federations with the matching funds.

While the matching opportunity will extend to the end of the year, donors are encouraged to make their pledge by Oct. 25 and join Federation for its Main Event. That evening, the Federation will welcome famed mentalist Sidney Friedman for an extraordinary performance that will take place via Zoom. Attendees will have an opportunity to make a pledge that evening.

“Please consider making your gift with an increase and encourage others to do the same,” Wax said.

To learn more, make a donation and sign up for The Main Event, click here or email mailbox@jflv.org.