In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, JCF acts quickly to provide much-needed funds from its endowment for food delivery, cash assistance, and social services for low-income New Yorkers, as well as Passover meals-to-go
Jewish Communal Fund (JCF), the largest and most active Jewish donor-advised fund in the country, acted quickly to approve emergency coronavirus-related grants totaling $1 million through its endowment, the JCF Special Gifts Fund.
This injection of funding will be earmarked for food delivery for low-income New Yorkers, cash assistance, and social services for single parents and Holocaust survivors, as well as thousands of Passover meals-to-go.
The JCF Special Gifts Fund Committee selected the grantee charities with the assistance of UJA-Federation of New York, which is serving at the forefront of coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency response efforts and has already pledged $34 million to help respond to the physical, mental, and financial needs resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s our privilege and responsibility to step up and provide immediate support to vulnerable members of our community to weather this storm, including those facing food insecurity and elderly Holocaust survivors,” said Daniel Blaser, Chair of Jewish Communal Fund’s Charitable Distribution/Special Gifts Fund Committee. “We’re grateful to our community of Fundholders who, in giving through JCF, have enabled JCF to act quickly and make these significant grants from its endowment with the help and expertise of our friends at UJA-Federation of New York.”
Since 1999, the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Communal Fund has granted more than $19 million to support programs that promote the welfare and security of the Jewish community at home and abroad.
The latest JCF Special Gifts Fund Grantees include:
$500,000 to the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty to provide emergency food delivery for low-income seniors who are sheltering in place at home and are at greater risk from the coronavirus outbreak
Thanks to JCF’s support, over 6,000 seniors who previously relied on food pantries and senior centers – as well as those newly in need – will receive 40 pounds of food delivered over the next three months.
$250,000 to UJA-Federation of New York’s Community Initiative for Holocaust Survivors to provide critical services for Holocaust Survivors
JCF’s support will help provide a range of services for elderly Holocaust Survivors, including emergency food deliveries, mental health resources, and transportation for home health aides.
$150,000 to the UJA-Federation of New York to provide thousands of Passover Seder Meals-to-Go
With the canceling of free and highly subsidized communal Seders, due to coronavirus, many people who are newly financially vulnerable due to job or income loss, as well as those who rely on communal Seders, are facing the financial stress of purchasing Passover food and making their own Seder. JCF’s grant will cover the cost of thousands of free Seder meals, complete with a Seder plate and links to virtual Seders and online Passover activities.
$50,000 to UJA-Federation of New York’s Single Parent Initiative to provide emergency cash assistance for single parents
Even before the coronavirus outbreak, a significant portion of single-parent Jewish households were living in poverty. Job loss can be particularly devastating in single-parent households. JCF’s funding will provide emergency cash assistance of up to $1,500 for single parents affiliated with six JCCs that serve this population. Funds will help single parents cover rent, purchase food, pay electricity bills, and cover the cost of medical needs.
$50,000 to Dorot’s University Without Walls, which connects seniors to educational programs using their telephone
JCF’s grant will help hundreds of seniors, many of whom are isolated at home due to coronavirus, to connect to educational programs on a variety of topics by phone.
Jewish Communal Fund is one of the largest networks of Jewish funders, managing $2 billion in charitable assets for more than 4,100 donor-advised funds. JCF’s donor-advised funds make giving easy, flexible, and efficient. Learn more about JCF by visiting www.jcfny.org. Visit JCF on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.