metro

JFMD 2012 Annual Campaign

StepForward

Federation's logo for this year's Campaign

Metro Parent's 23rd Annual

CAMP at

ACTIVITY

Sunday, Feb. 12

Franklin Athletic Club
29350 Northwestern Hwy.
Southfield • Noon to 3:30 p.m.

40+ Camps - overnight, day and specialty

Hands-on activities, demos and workshops

Contests and prizes

FREE ADMISSION

For more information visit MetroParent.com/CampFair

Can't make it on the 12th?

Visit VIRTUAL CAMP FAIR online starting Feb. 13th
www.MetroParent.com/VirtualCampFair

2011 Campaign Closes,
Federation Targets 2012

T

he Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit is clos-
ing out its 2011 Annual
Campaign with an increase in its total
financial goal of $29.3 million and,
perhaps more significantly, an overall
increase in the number of donors giv-
ing to the Campaign.
In 2011, nearly $29.4 million was
raised through the Annual Campaign.
An additional $3.6 million was raised
through the Carolyn and Jim Bellinson
Challenge Fund.
Final numbers are not yet in, but the
donor total is already close to 10,200,
up from 9,600 donors in 2010 and
9,394 donors in 2009, marking an 8
percent increase in two years.
Federation's Young Adult Division
had a strong finish, with a net 4.5 per-
cent increase over last year, signaling
a growth in engagement amongst this
critical population.
High-profile events such as
CommunityNEXT's Do It For Detroit
and YAD's Lathe Vodka helped
drive engagement amongst 20- and
30-something Jewish Detroiters.
Federation Women's Department also
finished the year strong, with a net 3.2
percent increase over 2010.
"Our goal in 2011 was to reach
9,700 donors, and we're going to finish
well above that:' says Scott Kaufman,
Federation CEO. "This will mark the
second straight year of growth for us.
That is a rare accomplishment for any
fundraising organization, but excep-
tionally so when you consider the cur-
rent economic climate in Detroit. It's
truly a testament to the remarkable
commitment and generosity of our
community"
Federation President Douglas A.
Bloom adds, "Our Annual Campaign
is the absolute priority for this
Federation and this community. There
is simply nothing more important
than the Annual Campaign. It makes
all of our agency allocations possible
and provides the safety net for the
vulnerable members of the commu-
nity. It literally affects every Jewish
life here in one way or another. We are
helping people we may never see or

meet, but it is our calling as Jews to
do so."
StepFoward is the name of
Federation's 2012 Annual Campaign.
The goal of the Campaign is to
grow engagement and participation
throughout the Jewish community for
Federation and its mission: Taking
care of the needs of the Jewish people
and building a vibrant Jewish future
in Metropolitan Detroit, in Israel and
around the world.
A key measure of success for the
Campaign will be continued growth in
the donor base: Federation is working
to secure 11,000 individual donors, a
figure that might have seemed impos-
sible just a few years ago.
Financially, the objective is to once
again exceed the previous year's
achievement. Federation is ahead
on its 2012 goal compared to the
same time last year, according to
Federation's Ted Cohen. The 2012
Challenge Fund, provided by the Max
M. and Marjorie Fisher Foundation,
already has raised $2.3 million.
"We are making progress toward a
Campaign that significantly improves
people's lives, and the 2011 results
reflect our community's commit-
ment to that goal," says Terri Farber
Roth, co-chair with Ron Klein of the
2011 Annual Campaign and current
co-chair with Larry Wolfe of the 2012
Campaign.
"I believe we are a community of
remarkable and charitable people
who wish to improve the lives of
others. Ultimately, we want a Jewish
community that is educated, healthy,
secure and free, in Detroit and around
the world."
Wolfe adds, "If we don't succeed in
turning the trend around and rebuild-
ing our base, the community will con-
tinue to be in great jeopardy. Jewish
Detroiters have always had exceptional
passion and commitment for their
community; and I firmly believe we
can do this together. Fortunately,
we're off to a good start in 2012. The
key will be continuing to engage the
community, and fully explaining the
diverse programs, aid and support our

Step Forward on page 14

10 February 2 a 2012