On the heels of a record-breaking annual community campaign year, Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City is kicking off its 2019 campaign with big plans.
“In 2018, which also happened to be our 85th anniversary, we raised $5.46 million — our biggest annual campaign ever. This year, we hope to accomplish even more with our annual fundraising, which will allow us to invest in even more programs and initiatives that sustain and enhance Jewish life,” said Dr. Helene Lotman, president and CEO of Jewish Federation.
The first significant fundraising effort begins with Jewish Federation’s note-a-thon, a letter-writing campaign that helps raise tens of thousands of dollars to support the Jewish community. Dozens of volunteer note writers come together for a fun morning of bagels, raffle prizes and camaraderie, while they send out personal notes asking for continued support of Jewish Federation.
“Once we changed our campaign year to a nine-month effort, we decided to utilize Note-a-thon for an energetic start to our annual community campaign. This work is paying off: Each year, we raise more than $50,000 for the community at this two-hour note-writing session. Last year alone, Note-a-thon resulted in more than 300 gifts and pledges, and the number of volunteer note writers continues to increase. We hope to remain on this positive trajectory in 2019,” said Lisa Schifman, director of Financial Resource Development.
In addition to Note-a-Thon, which took place March 31, Jewish Federation’s Financial Resource Development team is also gearing up for a Campaign Ambassador Training event on April 9. These ambassadors — committed volunteers who give their time and talent to raise money for Jewish Federation — come together for an evening of fun, education and insights to support their “why give” message.
“Watching our numbers of campaign ambassadors grow and continue to increase, as well as their excitement about supporting our mission, is an incredible affirmation that we continue to move in the right direction with our fundraising efforts. We have 60-plus ambassadors already, and we can always use more volunteers,” said Sandi Fried, 2019 Community Campaign co-chair.
“Thanks to a wonderful campaign team, chaired by Sandi and Amanda Morgan, with significant help from Barbara Rogoff, Women’s Philanthropy chair, we are training our ambassadors at a higher level. A new mentor program for those wanting to learn more has been established in 2019,” Schifman said.
“This continued growth is very exciting to watch. Together, we can truly make a positive change in our world. Without the collective effort of volunteers, donors and staff, we wouldn’t be able to do this important work each year,” Lotman added.
The donations raised in 2019 will be used to support more than 80 programs and services that sustain and enhance Jewish life at home and around the world. Through its network of 147 Jewish Federations and more than 300 additional network communities, the Federated system raises and distributes more than $2 billion annually to support social welfare, and social and educational services in Jewish communities around the world. The Federation movement is collectively among the top 10 charities in North America and has become a major funder for crisis relief.
“We are poised for an exciting 2019, and I am thankful that our financial resource development team, made up of Lisa Schifman, Laurie Goldstein, Women’s Philanthropy director, Deborah Bretton Granoff, Special Projects, and Danita Hill, Donor Services coordinator, are leading the charge,” Lotman said.
“If you haven’t been involved with Federation yet, I invite you to get to know us better. Join us at an upcoming event, go to our website at jewishkansascity.org or talk to a volunteer or staff member to get involved. We are waiting for you — and need your help to sustain Jewish life around the world,” Morgan said.
Jane Blumenthal Martin is director of marketing and communications for Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City.