What Do Fundraising and Anne Frank’s Tree Have in Common?

by Barbara Maduell “I was in Montana, conducting feasibility study interviews.” That was the dry, seemingly boring answer I gave to friends and colleagues who asked me where I went last week. In fact, interviewing an organization’s stakeholders is a critically important part of the planning process for any special campaign initiative. The one-on-one conversations provide candid community feedback about the strength of an organization’s mission, identify potential leadership and major donors, develop compelling campaign messages, and clarify next steps to ensure that staff and volunteers are prepared for a time-consuming yet exhilarating and transformative effort. One of the interview questions we always ask donors is whether they feel satisfied with the way in which our client organization solicits,... Continue Reading

Jewish Camp: Forget Color War; It’s Time to Build Robots

For campers at the JCC Maccabi Camp Kingswood in southern Maine, a very hot summer just got very cool. The camp invited a team of Israeli high school students and their teacher to bring their technical and scientific expertise in robotics to the camp and teach campers between the ages of 12-15 how to build small programmable robots that follow commands and complete assigned tasks. Working in two and three person teams with their Israeli student teachers, campers use computer software to develop and program their robots and construct motors that propel them toward a set destination. Based on the computer programs the students create, the robots “learn” to respond to light, ultra-sonic and touch sensory commands so they can follow a color-coded path, anticipate obstacles in their path, change direction,... Continue Reading

Lynn Schusterman: Unintimidated Philanthropist

by Eetta Prince-Gibson The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation (CLSFF), chaired by Lynn Schusterman from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a primary supporter of Bat Kol, the Israeli organization for religious lesbians. CLSFF is one of the largest Jewish-centric philanthropic foundations and donates, according to most estimates, some $70 million annually to a wide range of primarily, but not solely, Jewish projects. Bat Kol is part of ROI, one of CLSFF’s flagship projects, which, according to its publications, “aims to support young leaders worldwide who are making Jewish life more exciting and accessible.” In and extensive and telephone interview with The Jerusalem Report, Schusterman, 70, discusses her support for ROI, her engagement with the GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender)... Continue Reading

Rebuilding Our Global Jewish Family

As 5771 approaches, some thoughts from Dan Brown, eJewish Philanthropy’s founder: The face of Jewish philanthropy is continually changing and only time will tell if we are in the midst of evolution or a revolution. Philanthropy, which has always been a powerful force in the Jewish community, is – once again – witnessing a significant shift in both perception and management. Today’s philanthropists are more proactive, draw on a wide range of resources and seek greater efficiency and effectiveness. They also appear to be taking a longer-range view of their individual, or institutional, giving. Our Jewish organizational world is changing. Storied organizations as diverse as the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), the Jewish Theological Seminary and the World Jewish Congress are just three... Continue Reading

Communicating Your Financial Story

by Shilpi Shah Nonprofits are not alone in their struggles through the recent recession and its aftermath. Their funders – including foundations, corporations, individual donors and the government – have had challenges as well, facing increased demand from grantees, with a declining pool of funds. As a result, it becomes even more critical for nonprofits to make the case for funding. Nonprofits need to effectively tell their story, connecting mission, capacity and capital. Not only should they communicate programmatic outcomes, but also specific financial challenges, needs and opportunities that are linked to both individual programs and the organization as a whole. Nonprofits are adept at telling only half the “story” – what they do (mission), how they do it (programs)... Continue Reading

Still Connected: American Jewish Attitudes about Israel

The news last week that direct negotiations will take place between Israel and the Palestinian Authority ensures that Israel will continue to be a focus of ongoing debate, in particular among American Jewry. The attitudes of American Jews have been much discussed in recent weeks, and some observers have described a growing schism between liberal Jewish young adults and Israel. These views, however, have not been informed by empirical data. A newly released study from the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies, “Still Connected: American Jewish Attitudes about Israel” is part of their effort to fill in the information gap and provide systematic data about contemporary American Jewish attitudes about Israel. “Still Connected” is based primarily on a survey that was conducted in... Continue Reading

The Value of Free: Even for High Holidays

High Holy Days Are Free at Some Shuls, And Worshipers Flock by Nathan Guttman When the waiting list for High Holy Day tickets reached 700, leaders of the downtown Sixth and I Historic Synagogue decided to look outside the box – in their case, to the Chinese Community Church across the street. The church was a perfect match for the needs of the ballooning congregation: In its previous life, the building had served as a synagogue, and Stars of David still decorate its pews and stained-glass windows. Now, for at least three days in September, the church will house Jewish worship once again with a spillover service to accommodate the roaring demand for the synagogue’s distinctive offer: free High Holy Day tickets. Afterward, organizers plan to hold a Rosh Hashanah Kiddush for worshippers from both... Continue Reading

Philanthropy’s Tipping Point

by Patrick M. Rooney, Ph. D. If I had a crystal ball, I’d say women’s philanthropy is likely to be one of the prevailing issues of the 21st century for the nonprofit sector. Despite greater awareness and the fact that the trajectory of women’s philanthropy is escalating exponentially, we haven’t reached the tipping point or begun to realize the benefits of women’s giving capacity, participation and leadership. The research unquestionably shows that women have the desire, drive and capacity to give, but society and nonprofit professional practice have yet to catch up. Women’s philanthropic clout is clear. Women are driving social change, and changing philanthropy in the process. They’re in a greater position to lead than ever before. Women’s education and income levels are increasing.... Continue Reading

History Repeats Itself

How different is the “millennial” generation of Jews? Some attitudes and behaviors have certainly changed, as the sociologist Steven M. Cohen discusses in a recent interview with Manfred Gerstenfeld. There is a danger, though, of confusing superficial differences with fundamental change, and of overlooking parallels with the past. Discussing the rise of independent minyanim in the past decade, Prof. Cohen says “its leaders try to differentiate their community from what they see as the spiritually unengaging and experientially passive suburban synagogues that most of them grew up in.” Aside from the suburban setting, that also was an important rationale in the founding of the Reform movement in the 19th century and the spread of Hasidism beginning in the 17th century. In the area of culture... Continue Reading

Regaining Our Fundraising Strength: A Longer Horizon

by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin As the summer of 2010 comes to an end, we should enter the final months of the year with an updated fundraising strategy and, for those of us in the Jewish community, we should utilize strategic approaches for the High Holidays and end of year appeals. While being proactive is always key to end of year successes, every Jewish agency should take stock of what has occurred during the first half of 2010 and explore how to integrate the proven, effective approaches into the High Holiday and “end of year” fundraising efforts. Clearly, we are a nation in transition, rebounding ever slowly from incredible financial pressures and attempting to regain certain aspects of “normalcy.” Unfortunately the period where we find ourselves today appears to be a slower... Continue Reading

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