OUR ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION TO PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN THE QUALITY OF JEWISH LIFE, ENGAGEMENT AND IDENTITY DRIVES SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN THIS IMPORTANT AREA. THIS MEANS THE BROADEST POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO JEWISH EXPERIENCES INCLUDING DAY SCHOOL, SUMMER CAMPS, AND A WIDE RANGE OF JEWISH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT – STARTING AS EARLY AS SIX MONTHS OLD, WITH PJ LIBRARY. DEVELOPING OUR FUTURE JEWISH LEADERS ALSO REQUIRES THAT OUR YOUTH HAVE AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE IN ISRAEL EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING MARCH OF THE LIVING AND BIRTHRIGHT. ULTIMATELY, WE ARE ALL BENEFICIARIES OF A THRIVING JEWISH COMMUNITY.

OUR ALLOCATION TO JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF CANADA-UNITED ISRAEL APPEAL (JFC-UIA), THE NATIONAL AGENCY FOR CANADIAN JEWRY, ASSISTS US IN FULFILLING OUR NATIONAL MANDATE ON TWO LEVELS:

NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY: JOINTLY WITH OTHER LARGE CITY FEDERATIONS, WE PROTECT THE VIBRANCY OF JEWISH LIFE IN SMALLER COMMUNITIES ACROSS CANADA.

ADVOCACY: WE PROVIDE CRUCIAL SUPPORT TO THE CENTRE FOR ISRAEL AND JEWISH AFFAIRS (CIJA), THE ADVOCACY ARM OF CANADIAN FEDERATIONS, TO ADVANCE THE PUBLIC POLICY INTERESTS OF CANADA’S ORGANIZED JEWISH COMMUNITY, FIGHT ANTISEMITISM IN ALL ITS FORMS, PROVIDE STEADFAST SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL, AND OFFER EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES TO PARTNERS FACING LOCAL ADVOCACY CHALLENGES.

Federation CJA relies on the generosity of thousands of donors to meet the needs of the Jewish community in Montreal, Israel and around the world. While our annual Combined Jewish Appeal campaign remains the lifeblood that sustains our community each year, we are fortunate to benefit from other gifts that help us meet immediate needs and to plan for the future. These funds, in the form of endowments and capital gifts, allow us to identify and invest in the longer-term needs of our community.

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN

Because of you, our annual campaign raised over $44.6 million. This is comprised of: $36.1 million for the Combined Jewish Appeal base campaign, in addition to $2.4 million in one-time free gifts and $6.1 million in one-time gifts designated to local and Israel-based projects*.

The funds raised are allocated in two ways. They are distributed to the Montreal Jewish community through our network of affiliated agencies and communal organizations, allocated to our national system and invested in Israel. They are also used to maintain our community: running the annual campaign, operating the facilities in which many of our agencies are housed, and supporting the operations of Federation CJA and our affiliated agencies with key services such as community security, human resources, information technology and other fundamental supports.**

Federation CJA is proud to have one of the lowest percentage costs for raising money, ensuring that the maximum amount can go to doing the work and providing the programs and services that impact Jewish life here in Montreal, Israel and around the world. Fundraising expenses are 5.9%, which represent the cost of raising funds for the annual Combined Jewish Appeal campaign, and an additional investment of 4.2%, which is attributed to Financial Resource Development and future revenue acquisition. The success of Combined Jewish Appeal would not be possible without the efforts of nearly 500 volunteer canvassers, all of whom directly contribute to our human resource base.

SUPPLEMENTAL GIVING

Each year, funds raised through Federation CJA’s annual campaign are allocated in service of Federation CJA’s mission to support the Montreal Jewish community. However, we are keenly aware that the needs of our community continue to evolve and grow. Supplemental giving refers to funds designated for priority needs within the Montreal Jewish community that fall beyond the reach of the annual campaign.

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS

Our corporate partners and event sponsors reach out to the broader business community to support the work of our annual campaign. Last year we raised over $1.6 million in corporate and event sponsorships to offset the cost of the Campaign. In addition, we rely on investment income and savings to support community needs.

SPECIAL GIFTS AND OTHER REVENUES

Special Gifts are funds earmarked for special and strategic initiatives that advance Federation CJA’s mission to preserve and strengthen the quality of Jewish life in Montreal, Israel and around the world.

PASSPORT TO JEWISH LIFE

The Passport to Jewish Life initiative is Federation CJA’s most significant and ambitious investment in the future of the Montreal Jewish community. Passport to Jewish Life is a unique funders collaborative, led by Federation CJA and powered by a group of foundations who are deeply committed to supporting our youth and the vibrancy of our Jewish community. These foundations include: Sylvan Adams Family Foundation, The Azrieli Foundation, Claudine and Stephen Bronfman Family Foundation, The Morris and Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation, Alvin Segal Family Foundation and The Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal. The Fund includes endowed commitments of over $103,000,000 to support Jewish programming and education including capacity building initiatives and matching grants.

THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal is a strategic partner and major funder of Federation CJA and Generations Fund programs and initiatives.

* Designated gifts refer to donations that are made to a specific agency or area of interest.
** A detailed breakdown of our revenues and allocations is available upon request.