Aug 9, 2013

Supplemental Gifts Provide Vital Support for Senior Meals Programs and Other Important Causes

Tillie is 85 and lives on a fixed income, alone in a tiny North Dade apartment and homebound by debilitating medical conditions. Unable to get to the supermarket regularly and reluctant to ask for help, she used to ration her supply of food to make it last longer and was at high risk for malnutrition – until a cousin stepped in and contacted Jewish Community Services (JCS) of South Florida, a partner of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Today, Tillie receives weekly deliveries of nutritious kosher meals through JCS, along with other vital assistance, including homecare, home cleaning and a case worker.

There are hundreds of frail seniors across Miami-Dade County who depend on a lifeline of services provided by JCS and funded by the Annual Federation/UJA Campaign and other sources. Every week, JCS delivers packages of five frozen kosher meals – one for each week day – to approximately 430 homebound elderly people. Monday through Friday, nearly 300 more seniors enjoy a hot, nutritious lunch at five congregate meal sites. For those seniors – like Tillie – who are at the greatest risk for malnutrition, community support through Federation provides breakfast five days a week and/or weekend meals.

Recently, the JCS Senior Meals Program received another funding boost through a $36,400 grant from the Winn-Dixie Foundation. This generous gift will provide a total of 5,200 weekend kosher meals for the homebound Jewish older adults in Greater Miami who need them most.

“We’re honored to support organizations like the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Services that provide critical support that helps so many individuals triumph,” Winn-Dixie Store Director Cory Weissman said. “Winn-Dixie’s commitment to the South Florida community extends far beyond the walls of our stores and this invaluable partnership will continue to benefit many families in need.”

At the Winn-Dixie Foundation check presentation (left to right): Winn-Dixie Assistant Store Director Rei Niel, Store Director Cory Weissman, Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) Chairman Richard Hoffman, JCS President and CEO Fred Stock, Winn-Dixie Regional Vice President Tony Jorges, Greater Miami Jewish Federation Planning and Distribution Committee Chair Steven Gretenstein, Federation Chief Planning Officer Michelle Labgold, and Winn-Dixie Service Area Manager Steven Westbay.

To further assist homebound seniors, JCS’ weekend meals program also receives generous support from the Wells Fargo Foundation.

What Is Supplemental Giving?

Grants like those from the Winn-Dixie Foundation and the Wells Fargo Foundation are considered “supplemental gifts” and are any contributions made to, or through, Federation to benefit a Jewish organization or program over and above what is provided by the Annual Federation/UJA Campaign or special emergency campaigns.

The Annual Campaign directs community support to a vast network of vital programs and agencies that address wide-ranging Jewish needs in Miami, in Israel and in more than 70 other countries. Donors who wish to provide additional support to specific programs or agencies can do so through supplemental gifts.

“As the central, unrestricted funding source for the Jewish community’s needs, the Annual Campaign supports an infrastructure of programs and services that makes a difference in thousands of lives every day,” General Campaign Chair Robert G. Berrin said. “A supplemental gift enhances our community’s capacity to advance particular programs and projects, and address emerging needs.”

Working closely with partner agencies in Miami and worldwide, Federation’s volunteers and professionals are able to maintain a unique global view of current and future needs, therefore allocating Annual Campaign dollars where they are most required, based on community priorities.

Berrin pointed out that targeted supplemental gifts can have a tremendous impact on the programs they underwrite, as well as the people who depend upon those funded services.

In addition to the grants from the Winn-Dixie Foundation and Wells Fargo Foundation, a wide variety of other vital programs are currently benefiting from targeted supplemental gifts from corporate and private donors. These programs include Moishe House; the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach, a Committee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation; summer camp scholarships; the PJ Library Miami; and ParnossahWorks Miami, the employment assistance program jointly administered by JCS and Federation. Supplemental gifts also can benefit qualified Jewish agencies and organizations that do not otherwise receive funds through the Annual Federation/UJA Campaign. These may include Israeli universities and religious institutions, as well as charitable institutions with federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Many of these gifts are also made through Philanthropic Funds or other Donor-Advised Funds held by The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. One hundred percent of all supplemental gifts are allocated to the beneficiary agency or organization for which they are intended.

In some cases, Federation’s philanthropic professionals are able to identify matching funds from national foundations that leverage local donors’ supplemental gifts and greatly increase their impact. For example, a recent $60,000 contribution by local donors was coupled with a matching gift from the Adelson Foundation, dramatically increasing the number of slots available for young adults to visit Israel for the first time through Taglit-Birthright Israel. In recent years, donors have come forward to specifically fund Birthright experiences for special-needs participants.

“Our community truly benefits from this highly effective partnership,” Federation Chair of the Board Brian L. Bilzin said. “Our volunteer leaders and professionals serve as trusted advisors to individuals and foundations wishing to direct additional commitments to specific charitable institutions or needs. Through experience and our extensive philanthropic network, we can help donors maximize the effectiveness of their giving.”

Beyond helping to match donors with projects needing additional support, Federation’s professionals follow the progress of the funded program or organization, continuing to ensure that donors’ intentions are met and that they receive regular updates on the effects of their philanthropy.

In order to acknowledge the extent of Jewish giving throughout the community, Federation’s annual Roll of Honor lists donors who have made supplemental gifts totaling $10,000 or more directed to local, national or international Jewish organizations through the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Inclusion in the Roll of Honor associates donors with a large number of visionaries who have helped build a strong Jewish community in Miami.

For more information about supplemental gifts through the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, contact Simon Kaminetsky, Director of Philanthropic Initiatives, at [email protected] or 786.866.8453.