Annual Community Campaign

No gift touches more Jewish lives — that’s not just a motto, it’s a fact.

For nearly 100 years, MJF’s annual Community Campaign has been the power behind the infrastructure, sustainability and innovation of the Jewish community.

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How it works

These are the basics— for more details, see our FAQ at the bottom of this page.

First, we fundraise. Professionals and volunteers in the community raise funds from and for each other. Dozens of volunteer Campaigners contact peers, family members, and anonymous community members to have Jewish conversations and share the priorities that are important for our community to support today. In 2023, our community worked together to raise more than $11.3 million.

Next, we distribute the money we raised. While the community is fundraising, MJF’s Board of Directors and Community Impact Steering Committee are digging deep into the community’s needs and challenges and setting priorities for how to allocate the money raised. Once the Community Campaign has ended and we know the amount that is available to be distributed, our committees review requests from Jewish organizations and align what they’ve learned with a funding amount. For more details about this process, see our FAQ section below.

Where does the money go? In 2023, funds from the Community Campaign supported more than 60 organizations and programs locally and overseas. For a detailed breakdown, view our 2023 Annual Impact Report here.

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To speak with an MJF professional about the Community Campaign, please contact Grace Kaplan, Director of Annual Giving at gkaplan@jewishminneapolis.org or 952.417.2306.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How are decisions made about Community Campaign allocations?

MJF’s Board of Directors provides high level strategy and direction in alignment with our Strategic Plan goals and objectives. These are then passed down to our Community Impact Steering Committee which digs in deeper to set overall priorities for allocation funding. Each year, four allocation committees learn about and discuss the needs and challenges among specific areas: Jewish Identity & Engagement, Jewish Education, Caring Community (Human & Social Services), and Israel & Overseas. After the previous year’s Campaign has ended and we know the amount that is able to be distributed, each Committee reviews requests from Jewish organizations that fall within each area, and align what they’ve learned throughout the year with funding amounts. The Committees then make recommendations to the Community Impact Steering Committee, which in turn makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for funding over the next year.
There are three types of allocations that organizations can receive:

  • Base Allocations – Unrestricted dollars to organizations to use as they need. While we are in the midst of the Impact Focused Funding pilot project, we have committed to keeping Base Allocations flat from the 2023-2025 Community Campaigns.
  • Supplemental Allocations – Unrestricted dollars to organizations based on how much is raised in the previous year’s Community Campaign. The amount will vary, and is not guaranteed each year.
  • Impact Focused Funding Grants – Specific programmatic grants that organizations have applied for. Funding is determined based on how many dollars are raised in each Impact Area.
What organizations receive funding?

For a detailed report of current and previous allocations, please click here to view our Annual Report. In addition, as part of the Impact Focused Funding pilot project, we are reviewing the eligibility to become and remain Community Campaign allocation partners.

When does the Campaign run?

The Community Campaign runs on the calendar year, from January 1st through December 31. Our volunteer allocation committees then spend the next 2-3 months determining the needs and how to distribute the funds raised from the previous year for the year ahead.

Sample timeline:

  • 2024 Community Campaign Fundraising: January 1 – December 31
  • 2024 Campaign Allocation Recommendations & Approval: January – March, 2025
  • 2024 Campaign Funding to organizations: April 1, 2025 – March 30, 2026
Why should I give to the Community Campaign? I’d rather give directly to organizations I utilize regularly.

Giving directly to organizations near and dear to your heart is important, and you should continue to do so! However, since the dawn of Judaism, giving to a community cup is a noble expression of devotion to the entire Jewish people – to help those in need and support a vibrant Jewish life for the entire community, whether we utilize a given service or have a specific need ourselves. Giving to the Community Campaign demonstrates a love of community — it’s a proud statement of commitment to every individual Jew and the whole of Jewish life. The beautiful thing about a gift to Federation is that it will support the entire Jewish community, touching organizations you utilize regularly, as well as investing in those you may need in the future and are important to others in our community.

In addition, distributions from the Community Campaign still make up most of the largest single donations to each individual organization within our community, helping to keep the lights on and allowing organizations to innovate and invest in their own professionals and programs.

Is my Campaign gift tax deductible?

Minneapolis Jewish Federation is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We’ll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation.

Can I pledge my gift, and pay over a period of time?

Yes, gifts can be pledged in a given year and paid over the next. Click here to view all the ways you can pay. We do ask that pledges get paid as quickly as possible, as Federation distributes funds to partner organizations on a monthly basis, and will need to draw on a line of credit if pledges are not paid.

How can I get involved in the Community Campaign?

As noted above, volunteers help us raise funds from and for each other. Dozens of volunteer Campaigners contact peers, family members, and anonymous community members to have Jewish conversations and share the priorities that are important for our community to support today. We can’t do it without you! We can train you and many of our volunteer Campaigners find this work incredibly meaningful and enjoyable!

In addition, many of our Committees – such as Women’s Philanthropy, Cardozo, YALA, and more – all have philanthropic components to “give and get” funds for the Community Campaign.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Grace Kaplan, Director of Annual Giving at gkaplan@jewishminneapolis.org or 952.417.2306.