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July 25, 2008
Associated Raises Record Dollars Here
Neil Rubin
Editor
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Despite a sluggish economy and focusing on merging four agencies, the Baltimore metropolitan region’s central Jewish fund-raising and planning agency again bested its previous year’s record in dollars raised and distributed, bucking a nationwide downturn.
In total, the Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore gave out more than $65.5 million here, nationally and abroad to an array of Jewish and non-Jewish operations. (The previous year’s total was $70.9 million, but included $7 million from an Israel Emergency Campaign, launched during the Second Israel-Lebanon War two years ago.)
“What we understand in this climate for fund-raising is that we have to maximize our total funding resources,” said Genine Macks Fidler, the now-immediate past Associated Chair. “We moved to an integrated resource development model that provides for all kinds of fund-raising.”
Jimmy Berg, the new Associated chair of the board and immediate past chair of Community Planning and Allocations, added, “The bottom line is this community stepped up. If you look at per capita giving, we’re one of the highest in the country.”
The largest chunk of the distributions came from the nearly $37.2 million raised in the annual campaign, besting last year’s $34.57 million record. About $28.3 million more was distributed from supporting foundations, philanthropic funds and endowment income.
Associated insiders point to that last source as an unsung story. The new $8.2 million raised from endowment income doubles what only two years ago was about $4 million.
This year’s allocations came amidst the full implementation of “Visioning,” a restructuring of local services following several years of redefining community priorities. That included merging Jewish Family ervices, Jewish Vocational Service, the Jewish Big Brother and Big Sister League, and Jewish Addiction Services into Jewish Community Services.
More than $1.25 million was saved due to that move, but those funds were swallowed by rising operating costs, according to Mr. Berg.
“It’s no different than someone running a household with increased utilities, insurance and all. All of your savings go into the increases,” he said.
While most agencies began with a baseline 85 percent allocation from the previous year, additional funds went to programs that focused on the three determined communal priorities: families with young children, teenagers and the elderly.
As but one example, the Jewish Family Services allocation for financial assistance to families soared from $190,000 to $500,000.
“Visioning” also has brought a paring down of Baltimore Hebrew University funds, due to the Associated’s decision to not support degree-granting programs but continue aiding adult education initiatives. The new BHU allocation, about $1.02 million, was down about $100,000 from 2006. The sum is expected to drop $100,000 annually for four more years.
In addition to the strong financial picture, Mrs. Macks Fidler said she is most proud of pushing environmentalism throughout the Associated system, as well as promoting volunteerism through the Jewish Volunteer Connection agency.
“One of our greatest resources is the increase in wanting the members of the Jewish community to do something for the world,” she said. “That’s important, and we have to tie that to Jewish values and our heritage. The more people get involved, the more they see the need to give and get involved and become leaders.
“I feel very good,” she said, “with how we’ve positioned ourselves to support a caring and vibrant community, to maintaining our core and providing assistance for the needy, which is our first priority.”
By The Numbers
2008 Associated annual campaign: $37.167 million
- Total distribution: $65.55 million
- Donors: 12,500
- First-time donors: 1,000
- Non-repeat donors: 300
Source: The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore Numbers rounded off