The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) has announced the creation of a $54 million campaign aimed at addressing human services for Jewish communities and those supporting them on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be dispersed by local Federations to qualifying agencies.

The Fund offers an $18 million match, made possible by seven participating foundations, which can be accessed on a 1:2 basis. Local Federations will raise $36 million, creating a $54 million increase for frontline service agencies serving the Jewish community. Qualifying agencies deliver services, including emergency financial aid, food assistance, trauma counseling and services and resources for employees of Jewish communal organizations who have been laid off or furloughed.

JFNA estimates that if demand for just some of these services grows by 10%, the increased cost to the annual combined budgets of member agencies of the Network of Jewish Human Services Agencies (estimated at just over $1.17 billion/year) would be about $100 million increase in 2021. This relief effort aims to collectively drive significant additional resources to address the gap.

HSRMF was made possible by the Maimonides Fund, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, Crown Family Philanthropies, Jack, Joseph & Morton Mandel Foundation, Singer Family Foundation, Leslie and Abigail Wexner, Wilf Family Foundation, and The Jewish Federations of North America.