UJA-Federation of New York's 2014 Annual Campaign Raises $146.9 Million, Exceeding Last Year's Total By More Than $1.6 Million

NEW YORK, Sept. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- UJA-Federation of New York's 2014 Annual Campaign concluded on June 30th, raising $146.9 million, an increase of $1.6 million over 2013. With an additional $27.6 million in planned giving and endowments and $11.5 million in capital gifts and special initiatives, total fundraising results for the year were $186 million. More than 51,000 donors contributed to the 2014 campaign.

"The dollars raised through our annual campaign enable the network of agencies and grantees that we support year after year to carry out their everyday work of helping the most vulnerable in New York and beyond, and in igniting a passion for Jewish life and learning," said Eric S. Goldstein, who became CEO of UJA-Federation on July 1. "And when we are tested, in crisis or in other times of need, these funds mean that agencies can respond immediately and without hesitation – whether helping displaced persons as rockets fell on Israel this summer, supporting elderly Jews in Ukraine or providing funds to aid New Yorkers immediately after a hurricane. That's the power of UJA-Federation's unique network."

The capital gifts and special initiatives effort includes more than $4.2 million raised to establish the Ruskay Institute for Jewish Professional Leadership (named after John S. Ruskay, who stepped down June 30 after 15 years as CEO) which will help strengthen Jewish life and organizations throughout the community.

"Raising $146.9 million dollars is an accomplishment achieved by an incomparable team of professionals and lay-leaders who communicate and engage with tens of thousands of generous donors - many of whom increased their gifts over last year," said Alisa R. Doctoroff, president of UJA-Federation. "The organization is so grateful for this financial vote of confidence from the members of the New York Jewish community who year after year inspire all of us with their generosity and commitment to acting on their philanthropic Jewish values."

UJA-Federation's annual campaign remains the single largest philanthropic effort by any local community anywhere in the world. The 2014 General Campaign Chair was Jeffrey M. Stern. Mark Medin serves as UJA-Federation Senior Vice President of Financial Resource Development responsible for all fundraising efforts.

About UJA-Federation of New York
For more than 95 years, UJA-Federation has been a central force for communal planning and philanthropy in the New York Jewish community. Through UJA-Federation, 50,000 donors pool their resources to help people in need, inspire a passion for Jewish life and learning, and strengthen Jewish communities around the world — to address the issues that matter to us most as Jews and as New Yorkers. Working with nearly 100 network beneficiary agencies, synagogues, and other Jewish organizations, our reach spans from New York to Israel to more than 70 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year. Because we do the most good when we do it together.  For more information on how to donate or how to volunteer, please visit our website at www.ujafedny.org.

SOURCE UJA-Federation of New York