IMPACT: 2 Years. $2 Million. We’re on our way!

In 2023, we launched the Donor Advised Fund (DAF) Partner Agency Matching Program to increase and accelerate donor giving and infuse our community and Jewish organizations with $2 million over two years. To date, the program has distributed close to $1 million, helping agencies increase their social impact and financial sustainability. 

Among our successes is George Mason Hillel, where the campaign made it possible to pair local Jewish professionals with undergraduate students for mentoring and coaching. These relationships – impacting 250 individuals – have led to internships, exposure to career opportunities, and a strengthening of the growing Northern Virginia Jewish community.

What’s New? In year two, we’ve made adjustments based on donor and agency feedback to create more matching opportunities, including matching renewed gifts from year one and gifts of any size made by donors who open a new DAF of $50,000 or more. Join us again or for the first time.

GIVE: Safeguarding Democracy, Building Civic Engagement

We are inspired by organizations working to unify our country, build bridges across difference, and/or combat antisemitism. If these efforts inspire you too, consider supporting the organizations below through your DAF.

Jews United for Democracy and Justice (EIN 82-0742397) is a nonpartisan collaboration of people of all faiths, or none, dedicated to combating authoritarianism and preserving democratic principles and justice in America. JUDJ’s virtual town hall series, America at a Crossroads, focuses on bring Americans together to discuss crucial issues facing our democracy and to build a broad coalition to fight against authoritarian forces and ensure a democratic future for America.

Facing History & Ourselves (EIN 04-2761636) is making democratic values visible in the classroom. Facing History students learn about the importance of actively working to preserve our democracy. Today, with funding from Federation through our Framework for Combating Antisemitism, Facing History is working to embed their signature curriculum, Holocaust and Human Behavior across DC, MD, and Northern VA public schools in partnership with 250 educators.

National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) (EIN 52-0698385) is a congressionally-chartered nonprofit advancing civic life in America. Their nonpartisan programming supports civic health, combats disinformation, and engages Americans in democracy. Their annual conference on Renewing Civic Health is December 10, 2024 in Washington, DC.

ON OUR RADAR: Combating Antisemitism, Generative AI

University of Illinois declares protections for Jewish students. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign expanded its nondiscrimination policy to include Jewish students’ connections to Israel and Zionism. The agreement comes on the heels of a legal settlement and represents one of the most detailed commitments to Jewish students ever made by a major American university.

Hallucination or History? The World Jewish Congress released a joint report with UNESCO on the need to accelerate the implementation of UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI amid rising concerns that AI can distort the historical record of the Holocaust and fuel antisemitism. The report highlights the importance of working with Jewish communities and experts in antisemitism when developing new AI tools.

Hillel releases toolkit for navigating antisemitism on campus. Take action against antisemitism, discrimination, and misinformation about Israel on campus.

OF NOTE

Deepen Your Philanthropic Practice

Pop Up Learning Event: Join us for an informal virtual gathering with 

Avodah on October 29^th at 10:00 AM to learn about the work of local agencies and community needs. Email Jannah Yutkovitz for registration information.

What documents do I need to plan my estate? Bender JCC hosts a free workshop to answer your burning questions about estate planning on November 1^st.

Commemorating October 7^th

Unite for an evening of remembrance, resilience, and hope. This October 7^th, join thousands from across the Greater Washington Jewish community to commemorate one year since the horrific attacks in Israel that changed our world forever. Register for the gathering

Give to causes you care about inside and outside the Jewish community.

Take advantage of collaborative giving and learning opportunities.

Contribute to a permanent legacy of support for Federation’s family of agencies.