When it comes to making the grade, the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City has earned the equivalent of straight A’s from a very important national philanthropic organization for the fourth consecutive year.
{mprestriction ids="1"}In a recent annual survey, the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City was ranked No. 1 for its overall success out of 14 peer cities including Dallas, Houston, Minneapolis, Phoenix and San Diego. The survey was conducted by the Department of Planed Giving and Endowments of the Jewish Federations of North America. JFNA represents 153 Jewish Federations and more than 300 network communities, which raise and distribute more than $3 billion annually for social welfare, social services and educational needs. The No. 1 ranking is based on seven different measures which include the number and size of various types of funds with which the Foundation works. The Jewish Community Foundation has received this top designation since 2010.
During the last 20 years, Kansas City’s Jewish Community Foundation has had a positive impact on the nonprofit landscape providing funds to support local, national and international charities in excess of $203 million. During the same period of time, charitable contributions to the Foundation have exceeded $256 million.
L. Joshua Sosland serves as president of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. "The criteria that have earned the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City this award for a fourth consecutive year cover the entire range of activities at the Foundation, from Donor Advised Fund grants and endowment fund growth to administrative efficiency," said Sosland. "While being recognized a fourth straight year may give this award a ‘routine’ feeling, it is because our staff and board never treat what we do and how we do it as routine that we earned this award once again. Our unflagging commitment to meeting the needs of our fund holders and our community remain our greatest source of pride."
Since 1959, the Jewish Community Foundation has been at the forefront of charitable giving in Kansas City. The Foundation has partnered with individuals, families and community organizations to help them achieve their philanthropic goals and to increase current and future support for a vibrant and secure Jewish community in Kansas City, Israel and around the world. During fiscal year 2013, the Jewish Community Foundation distributed more than $19.9 million in 3,500 separate grants to different Jewish and secular charitable organizations.{/mprestriction}