Jewish Communities Start Intensive Study on Fund-raising Methods

The Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds today reported that communities throughout the United States and Canada are conducting “the most intensive review in a number of years” of their fund-raising methods.

The re-evaluation process, the report said, is aimed at increasing fund-raising results in 1955 and at laying firm foundations for long-range campaigning. Some of the areas under review are:

1. Primacy of the central campaign–re-emphasis of the federation as the necessary alternative to the “philanthropic jungle” of independent appeals which the development of central campaigns were designed to eliminate.

2. Have central campaigns adapted to changing needs and changing interests in the community# Also, how can campaigns provide greater satisfactions to workers and contributors#

3. How effective are current techniques in: securing and inspiring key leadership, recruiting and training workers, solicitation of big gifts, finding new prospects, getting maximum benefits from tax provisions and encouraging greater individual and corporation giving#

CONCERN OVER RISE IN MULTIPLE APPEALS; TIMING URGED

Continuing concern over the rise in multiple appeals and their possible effects on federation and welfare fund campaigns has been expressed by the CJFWF for several years. The following suggestions have therefore been advanced to the communities to take into consideration when re-examining fund-raising methods:

1. Welfare funds should include all valid Jewish appeals deserving support of the Jewish community, except where there is mutual agreement that the appeal shall conduct its own campaign. In such exceptions, timing and other aspects of the campaign shall be determined in agreement with the welfare fund.

2. Contributors should check with the welfare fund before giving to independent campaigns, and leaders should check with it before sponsoring such separate campaigns. Such orderly and responsible processes are necessary to obtain maximum community support for all Jewish needs.

3. Flexibility should be maintained in the initiation and development of worthy new causes.

Results of this review and planning will be sent to the CJFWF for national distribution to small communities which may benefit from the experience of each, and to guide the CJFWF in national planning.