More than $100,000,000 has been secured for the “City of Life” Building Fund Campaign of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York, it was announced tonight at a dinner at the Hotel Plaza–attended by over 500 community leaders–honoring Salim L. Lewis upon his retirement after four years as chairman of the drive. The campaign was the largest ever undertaken by a voluntary philanthropy for health and welfare facilities.
Mr. Lewis said that the campaign, whose goal has been increased from an original $104,365,000 to $180,000,000, “has just passed the half-way mark, and will continue for at least the next three years, and possibly longer, so that no worthwhile project will go unachieved.” The “City of Life,” he continued, will provide for about 300 building projects and services for the existing 116 medical, welfare, and recreational facilities affiliated with the Jewish Federation.
Joseph Mailman will succeed Mr. Lewis as Building Fund chairman, it was announced. In 1961, Mr. Mailman served as chairman of Federation’s annual maintenance appeal. Camuel D. Leidesdorf, a former Federation president, praised Mr. Lewis for his “truly inspired leadership.” A silver bowl and a bronze plaque were presented to Mr. Lewis. The plaque commemorates the gift of the Lewis family to the Building Fund, which will be used to establish a summer camp for children and youth in Poyntelle, Pa., to be known as the Hattie and Max Lewis Camp Grounds.
President Johnson, in a message sent to Irving Mitchel Felt, Federation president, said: “I am pleased to send greetings to all those associated with the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York on the occasion of your dinner meeting in tribute to Salim L. Lewis, whose talent and dedication have contributed so much to the progress of the Federation’s farsighted program, and to the betterment of the community.
“The problems of our society can be solved and the opportunities for social progress realized only through vigorous and imaginative voluntary effort coupled with enlightened government action at all levels. I congratulate the Federation for its magnificent work in the months and years ahead,” President Johnson stated.
LARGEST SINGLE GIFT WAS $4,000,000; MANY GIFTS FROM FOUNDATIONS
Summarizing results to date, and outlining future plans, Mr. Lewis cited these highlights: The $100,000,000 secured since the campaign began in June 1961 has been obtained primarily through the efforts of Federation agency leaders and Federation committees. Gifts have come from individuals, foundations, corporations and unions; from Federal and State grants under both the Mitchell-Lama and Hill-Burton Acts; sales of property, self-liquidating loans and bequests.
The largest single gift amounted to $4,000,000, and altogether there have been 15 gifts of $1,000,000 and more, it was announced. Almost 250 individual gifts of $50,000 and over have been received to date. They are by categories, as follows: $50,000-$100,000, 79; $100,000-$500,000, 145; $500,000-$1,000,000, 19; $1,000,000,-$2,500,000, nine; and $2,500,000 and over, six. In addition, there have been “several thousand” gifts in amounts under $50,000.
Mr. Lewis reported further that, of the $100,000,000 secured, gifts from foundations now exceed $17,300,000; and gifts from public corporations exceed $2,000,000. “Building Fund givers were required to equal their previous year’s contribution, in order not to affect adversely the annual maintenance campaign on behalf of Federation’s 116 agencies. This year’s maintenance goal is $22,500,000,” he said.
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