The national average of funds raised by Jewish federations and welfare funds in 1953 was three percent less than in 1952, it was reported here today by the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds. This compared with a drop of 10 percent between 1952 and 1951, the report said.
The 135 Spring campaigns and 46 Fall drives which have reported to the CUFF raised a total of $75,696,128 in 1953, as compared with a total of $77,999,989 in 1952. The percentage of decline for Fall campaign cities was 4. 0, while the Spring cities dropped an average of 2. 7 percent.
The reporting communities are estimated to account for more than 90 percent of the total funds raised by all Jewish federations and welfare funds in the United States and Canada (exclusive of New York City). The reports are based on final results, estimated finals, and a few incomplete returns.
“In general, campaigns in 1953 showed closer groupings of communities in specific areas of results, ” the CJFWF commented in its report. There were fewer extremes of increase or decrease, and a heavier clustering around the national average. This development, which was in evidence in 1952, gained strength during 1953.
“Further favorable comparison with 1952 shows that in 1953, 30 percent of the communities reported results equalling or bettering those of the previous year. Moreover, 60 percent of the cities reported either plus results or losses of 6 percent or less. In 1952, only 25 percent of campaigns showed similar classifications, ” the report said.
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