AMP&
Notebook
The Way We Invest
capabilities like JVS, which provides skill building, job place-
e entrust our donor dollars to Detroit Jewry's cen-
ment and vocational training to Jews and non-Jews; trimmed
tral planning and fund-raising arm. We expect this
$100,000 from the Jewish Community Center to begin
repository, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
weaning it off supplemental support beyond its regular allo-
Detroit, to maximize our investment through prudent alloca-
cation now that building improvements are almost done; and
tions locally, in Israel and elsewhere to help fulfill the Jewish
realigned allocations to campus Hillels based on the potential
principle of tikkun olam — repair of the world.
of their alumni to make up what is lost.
I focused on this as I listened to Federation's top leaders
"You want to start making changes that you think will cre-
describe priorities for allocations from the 2005-2006 Annual
ate
a bit of a difference," said Federation President Peter
Campaign, which totaled $34.7 million despite Michigan's
Alter.
"This is what we are committed to do."
poor economy. I was looking for increased commitment to
Federation not only must encourage constituent agencies
local priorities in the wake of less financial
to find other funding options, but also help win over these
aid from United Way and government
potential sources — a trend that cannot stop. Will the
sources.
Campaign ever hit $40 million? Arguably, it must. But sup-
"This year, our focus was on funding
plemental
streams also are a must. The Irving A. Rubin
those priorities that the community had
Jewish
Community
Trust for the Elderly and the Jewish
set several years ago," said Michael
Education
Trust
are
good examples.
Eizelman, chairman of Federation's
We still allocate 42 percent of the Campaign for Israel and
Planning and Allocations Steering
overseas programs. Many are school enrichment programs
Committee.
ROBERT A.
So day school educa-
SKLAR
tion, eldercare services and
Federation must stay
Editor
families at risk have drawn
the spotlight. Also target-
vigilant and be held
ed is the nearly depleted capital needs fund
for major maintenance and repair of United
accountable so the
Jewish Foundation of Metropolitan Detroit-
owned buildings like the flood-damaged
public trust doesn't
Aaron DeRoy Theatre.
Our six Jewish day schools received the
diminish.
same total allocation they have been getting:
$2.093 million. To help them boost revenue
aimed at improving prospects for kids at risk in Israel, espe-
without taking away from other urgent local needs,
cially immigrant Ethiopians and Russians. Summer camps in
Federation has earmarked $150,000 to seed a bonus program
the Ukraine, hunger relief in Kiev and Partnership 2000 ini-
that has strong funding potential. The idea is to allow day
tiatives in Israel's Central Galilee are other beneficiaries. Our
schools to match fund-raising dollar for dollar and not rely
ability to fund these valuable international programs isn't
on higher communal allocations each year. Federation is
secure.
So Federation must engage Israeli philanthropists and
seeking funding partners to grow the seed amount.
global
philanthropies
to partner with — something it has
The allocation for the Commission on Jewish Eldercare
beaun
to
do
and
must
do more of.
Services remains at $175,000. It's tough to slash aid to our
Notably, a higher percentage of total dollars raised through
less-fortunate older adults; they should be revered for all they
the combined resources of the Campaign, the Jewish Fund
have done to reinforce the Detroit Jewish community.
and
Federation's Millennium Campaign is staying here in
COJES services include affordable housing, in-home sup-
Metro
Detroit.
port, transportation, and day care .for adults with Alzheimer's
Federation
wants to widen its donor base while replac-
disease and other dementia disorders. Outreach includes care-
ing
the
big
givers
who have died. It wants to nurture
giver support, kosher Meals on Wheels, recreational activities,
givers, big and small, and make every-
social work services and chaplain services.
one feel appreciated and less part of a
We must wisely spend the $487,000
bureaucracy. It wants to develop young
Naturally Occurring Retirement
leaders
to help raise money and pro-
Community federal grant to maintain .the
mote
Federation's
work. It vows to be
dignity of frail, infirm or low-income sen-
more
creative
in
ensuring
the vitality of
Do
you
feel
that
Federation
iors. Too many are extremely vulnerable.
the
Campaign.
does
a
good
job
allocating
Jewish Family Service is stretched help-
Ultimately, fund-raising requires a
funds from the Annual
ing at-risk families meet basic needs let
trusted connection between people to
Campaign?
alone find scholarships to send kids to
succeed. Federation set the right stage for
summer camp or Jewish schools. A
the 2005-2006 Campaign. It must stay
Should
communal
agen-
$200,000 Jewish Fund of Metropolitan
vigilant
and be held accountable so the
cies
be
held
accountable
Detroit grant ran out this year so
public
trust
doesn't diminish.
for
finding
supplemental
Federation stepped in. It matched a one-
President
Alter
hit the bull's eye: "We
revenue,
or
are
they
our
year Jewish Fund extension of $100,000
have a responsibility to be more user
responsibility, as a
to JFS by tapping $70,000 from the
friendly and to not take people for grant-
community, to fund?
Campaign and $30,000 from the
ed. We want to show our appreciation
Grosfeld Social Impact Fund.
more. We're very appreciative, but some-
See
next
week's
JN
for
I like that Federation has made tough
times we don't communicate that as well
details
of
2005-2006
cuts. It scaled back allocations for well-
as we'd like to." ❑
Campaign
allocations
run agencies with excellent fund-raising
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2005
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