Confidence that American Jewish communities would meet their old as well as new war-time responsibilities was reflected in the campaign goals set by most Jewish federations and welfare funds in inaugurating their annual Spring drives, it was reported today by the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds.
Fears held by some campaign executives that increased taxes, loss of man-power, industrial dislocation and rising costs of living would bog down the first war-time campaigns gave way to a surge of optimism, with federations and welfare funds aiming at goals from 10 to 25 percent above last year’s figures. Early and incomplete reports trickling into the Council from communities which launched their campaigns in February and March support the view that American Jewish communities will raise more in 1942 for philanthropic causes than in previous years. About half of the Spring campaigns have already started, with the others scheduled to open in May.
SPRING CAMPAIGNS SHOW GREAT PROMISE
Atlanta, which last year raised $113,092, will this year seek $135,000. Cleveland, which realized $796,213 in 1941, has set a goal of $908,379. Los Angeles, which attained $707,600 in 1941, is shooting at $1,000,000 this year. Other 1942 goals and 1941 results are Chattanooga, $30,000 as against $21,775 in 1941; Duluth, $57,500 and $50,819; El Paso, $23,000, $17,564; Fort Wayne, $60,000, $54,252; Hartford, $199,727, $164,555, Indianapolis, $168,000, $140,071, and San Diego, $40,000,$30,000.
Early 1942 returns augur well for fund raising efforts. Columbus, Ga., one of the few complete campaigns, raised $11,000 as against $8,188 in 1941 Birmingham, which attained $55,000 last year, reports $58,800 with figures incomplete. Incomplete reports give Galveston $20,000 as compared with $18,100, Houston, $130,557 as against $127,279 in 1941, Lafayette, Ind, $18,082 against a total of $15,000 last year; Louisville thus far has $121,750, 1941 total $114,017, Tampa shows $17,812 with a 1941 attainment of $8,300, and Sheboygan, Wis., reports $4,890 as compared with $3,600 last year.
COMMUNITIES REPORT SIZEABLE INCREASES
Winnipeg, which opened its campaign on April 13, reports a net increase of $20,300 on the first $71,000 collected this sum includes $5,000 from 850 new subscribers. Indianapolis reports pledges totalling $143,792, approximately 33,700 above the 1941 mark, with 1,100 cards still unreported. In opening the Bridgeport campaign 19 contributors raised their gifts from $8,775 in 1941 to $12,675 this year. Southern Illinois enjoyed a similar experience, 51 givers, who produced $11,450 last year, raising their total to $19,150. Newark, Hartford and New Haven were among many other communities reporting sizeable boosts in the big-gifts categories.
A brief survey of the early campaigns indicated that campaign executives are stressing the need for broadening the base of contributions, larger volunteer staffs and a more intensive pre-campaign publicity program to translate in dramatic terms the rising local, national and overseas needs. These points were held essential to successful drives in 1942 at campaign seminars conducted by the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds throughout the country during the past three months.
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