Federation celebrates record $5.6M campaign

Jewish Federation is celebrating its most successful Community Campaign in the organization's 92-year history, an accomplishment that Federation leadership attributes to the support and generosity of the entire Kansas City Jewish community. More than $5.6 million was raised for Federation's 2025 Community Campaign.

“This year’s campaign is a powerful reflection of who we are as a community,” said Jay Lewis, Federation’s president and CEO. “It shows that people understand not only the importance of meeting today’s needs, but also the responsibility we share to ensure a strong, vibrant Jewish future for Kansas City.”

Federation’s campaign manager, Becca Graham, said the record-setting year was driven by a combination of dedicated staff and volunteer leadership. She credited Board Chair Sondra Friedman, Fundraising and Development Chair Jeremy Antes, Campaign Chair Jerry Enslein and others who helped guide and support Federation’s fundraising efforts throughout the year.

The 2025 campaign also saw significant growth among younger donors. Federation recorded a record number of Ben Gurion Society members (donors under 45 who give $1,000 or more) and saw strong participation from Young Adults Division (YAD) donors, including many who gave for the first time through Federation’s YAD Lights the Way campaign last summer.

“We’re seeing younger donors step up in meaningful ways,” Graham said. “They’re not just giving, they’re engaging and becoming leaders.”

That momentum reflects Federation’s broader efforts to educate younger community members about the impact of collective giving and the role Federation plays in supporting the community.

“We can be very optimistic about the strength of our Jewish community for years to come,” Lewis said.

Funds raised through the Community Campaign support a wide range of local, national, and international Jewish organizations, while also allowing Federation to respond quickly in times of crisis and plan strategically for the future.

“The old analogy is that you don’t build the firehouse once the fire starts—you build it ahead of time so you’re ready when the call comes,” Lewis said. “A successful campaign ensures we’re prepared, whether that means responding to an emergency or strengthening our community for what’s next.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Federation plans to place an increased focus on leadership development, with the goal of cultivating a strong and sustainable pipeline of community leaders.

In addition to the more than $5.6 million raised through the Community Campaign, Federation also generated significant support for several special funds in 2025. More than $289,000 was raised for the Chesed Fund, which provides both short- and long-term financial assistance to individuals and families struggling to afford basic needs.

Sasone, Federation’s program dedicated to ensuring access to Jewish opportunities and education for individuals with disabilities, received more than $234,000 in grants and donations, expanding its ability to create inclusive and welcoming experiences across the community.

Lewis said that the success of the 2025 Community Campaign is not just Federation’s accomplishment, but “an achievement every member of the Kansas City Jewish community can be proud of.”