Endowment Announces $7 Million JCF-Catalyst Initiative to Address the Current Economic Crisis and Create a New Model for Sustainable Philanthropic Outreach

June 11, 2009

(San Francisco, CA) – The Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties today announced the launch of the Jewish Community Federation-Catalyst Initiative (JCF-Catalyst), a high-impact, $7 million initiative designed to provide immediate assistance to families and institutions in crisis and serve as a catalyst in building a long-term, sustainable model of charitable service and outreach.

In an extraordinary measure, $7 million is being drawn from unrestricted assets of the Endowment Fund of the Jewish Community Federation to address a range of critical needs. "During these times when many funding sources are becoming more limited, and the needs are greater than I have ever experienced, we are stepping up to give more, and we hope to inspire other endowments and foundations to do the same," according to Warren Hellman, Chair of the Endowment Committee.

One Million Dollars in Emergency Grants Distributed
At a time when traditional funding sources have not been able to keep pace with the growing needs of vulnerable individuals and families suffering the effects of the economic downturn, $1MM of the JCF-Catalyst funds were immediately allocated to serve needs—for food and housing, emergency loans, job training and other vocational services, and to keep children, whose parents had lost jobs, enrolled in school.

"This is our moment for bold and swift action," said Federation CEO Daniel Sokatch. "And it is just the beginning. The JCF-Catalyst allows us to meet immediate concerns, and serves as the spark for addressing longer-term issues of sustainability and attracting the next generation of Jews to philanthropy and community service."

The JCF-Catalyst Initiative was announced at the Federation’s 99th Annual Meeting, held June 11th at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco. In sharing the Federation’s vision with the 400 members of the community in attendance, Sokatch said, "The JCF-Catalyst has been created to demonstrate to the broader community a cohesive, forward-thinking, creative, and compassionate initiative motivated by Jewish values of tikkun olam - repair of the world, and tzedek - justice."

Next Steps
Noting that success depends on both leadership and collaboration, Sokatch concluded, "Our next steps are to gather the best and brightest minds together, and partner with other agencies and organizations to help us strategize ways to reach our goals with maximum, measurable impact."

Funds Distribution List
The funds will address the following time-sensitive needs for individuals and families in crisis throughout the Federation service area ranging from Sonoma County in the north to the Peninsula in the south.

• Jewish Family and Children’s Services: $300,000 - for direct emergency financial assistance for individuals and families in crisis.
• Jewish Family and Children’s Services: $100,000 - to expand the Single Parent Center, which provides comprehensive financial, emotional, and vocational assistance.
• Jewish Vocational Service: $100,000 - to expand the Jewish Employment Network, helping to address greatly increased needs for vocational services in the Jewish community.
• Hebrew Free Loan Association: $300,000 - to provide interest-free loans to members of the Jewish community who are economically vulnerable and have urgent needs.
• Community-wide Jewish Day School Scholarship Fund: $100,000 - to provide need-based financial assistance to the most vulnerable families, all of whom have already exhausted all such available financial resources.* (see list below)
• Jewish Community Federation / Synagogue Partnership: $150,000 – to continue building long-term sustainability.

About The Jewish Community Federation and its Endowment Fund
Having served the Jewish community in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1910, the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties works to build a vibrant, broad-based and cohesive community, granting money raised through its Annual Campaign to organizations that address community priorities. In fiscal year 2008, the Federation allocated $24.3 million to fund programs and agencies providing social services, educational, and cultural programs in the Bay Area, in Israel, and around the world. The Federation’s Jewish Community Endowment Fund (JCEF) includes bequests and other gifts to form a lasting legacy of Jewish philanthropy. The JCEF serves as a major resource for the Jewish and general communities by meeting emergency needs, providing the initial funding for innovative projects, and giving ongoing support to organizations and programs around the globe. In fiscal year 2008 more than $285 million was allocated in grants by JCEF-affiliated funds and foundations.

For more information please contact:
- Angela Ingel, Marketing Director, 415.512.6246, angelai@sfjcf.org

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* Day Schools receiving scholarship allocation:

• Brandeis Hillel Day School, San Francisco
• Brandeis Hillel Day School, San Rafael
• Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, Palo Alto
• Jewish Community High School of the Bay, San Francisco
• Kehillah Jewish High School, Palo Alto
• Lisa Kampner Hebrew Academy, San Francisco
• Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School, Foster City
• South Peninsula Hebrew Day School, Sunnyvale