Thanks to the Federation’s donors for their generous support, and to its hardworking volunteers and community, the 2020 Annual Campaign surpassed its goal of $4 million for a second year in a row.

“Thank you for the incredible work and generous donations of so many who stepped up during a difficult time to help our community,” said Michael Skolnick, Federation Senior Director of Development. “Our mission for more than a century has been to serve our community and those in need, especially during times of crisis. Thank you for continuing to believe in our mission and for helping us succeed for those who need it.”

In 2020, $4,156,435 was raised for the 2020 Annual Campaign, with some donors designating portions of their gifts to the Community Relief Fund.  With more than $700,000 raised outside of the Annual Campaign, a total of $855,000 was raised for the Community Relief Fund, bringing the combined total of the Annual Campaign and Community Relief Fund to nearly $4.9 million. This also  includes the Human Services Relief Matching Fund grant received from national donors at the Jewish Federations of North America.

In addition to a successful unrestricted Annual Campaign, the Federation also raised critical funds through supplemental and directed giving, grants, investments, and more.

Apart from these funds, the Federation also received national Payroll Protection Program support, which enabled the retention of staff who were instrumental in raising critical funds for the community. Through the pandemic in 2020, the Federation needed to eliminate several positions in order to be good stewards of financial resources.

“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, our community stepped up when we needed them the most,” Federation President Beth Klapper said. “Because of our donors’ generosity and leadership, we have been able to help the growing number of people affected by this crisis with basic needs, such as food and paying utilities bills. I am so proud of what we accomplished in 2020 and for being a part of this strong Jewish Hoosier team. Thank you so much to our donors, volunteers, staff and community. Your actions proved that the Indianapolis Jewish community is united and when we come together for a cause, there’s no stopping us.”

2020 is the second consecutive year the Annual Campaign surpassed $4 million, and also the second time this has been accomplished in the past decade. 2020 also saw an increase of 130 donors (12.3 percent) to the Annual Campaign, continuing 2019’s success in reversing the trend in the Greater Indianapolis Jewish community and in many communities across the country, where the number of donors has been in decline. 

Brad Gershman and his family have been longtime supporters of the Federation.

“Our family history of donating to the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis has been to directly support our local Jewish community, multiple agencies supported by JFGI and support of the State of Israel and Jews around the world,” Gershman said. “We feel grateful to be able to contribute and to increase our gift in times of increased need. The current state of our world today is a clear example of a time when the need for those who can afford to give must feel compelled to do so and lessen the stress, burden and unimaginable hardship felt by those less fortunate.”

Judy Weitzman moved to Indianapolis from Lafayette two years ago and immediately started supporting the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis. She says she always gives to the Federation she lives near. 

“It’s such as normal, natural instinct to give to the Federation because I am Jewish,” Weitzman said. “It defines who I am and who my family is and it’s just what we do.”

During a time of political divide and uncertainty, Weitzman significantly increased her donation to the 2020 Annual Campaign. Her reason – to keep the Jewish community together.

“Federation is the umbrella that gives strength and unity to all of us,” she said. “Now more than ever, it is necessary to give my support because of the increase in antisemitism and the forces we are currently facing that are trying to set us apart. Federation brings us together. Thank you to the Federation for giving us the opportunity to have such a wide influence on creating a positive and safe Jewish presence in our community.”

Sybil Mervis, a major donor to the Annual Campaign, echoed Weitzman’s thoughts.

“I give because I am Jewish and Jewish people take care of other people,” she said. “That’s what I was taught as a child. Charity is a way of life. We are responsible for other people.”

Mervis significantly increased her 2020 Annual Campaign gift – by nearly double – to support those in need during the pandemic through Jewish Family Services and other partner agencies, and she contributed to the community’s Human Services Relief match efforts to bring in even more dollars to help those in need.

“In this pandemic, so many people are needing help so I felt contributing was necessary,” Mervis said. “I try to do a mitzvah every day.”

Mervis has one piece of advice to encourage future donors to give: “think about how fortunate you are and consider helping the people who need so much.”

The mission of the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis is to promote the vision of a vibrant, engaged, inclusive, and sustainable Jewish community by serving as its central philanthropic, planning, community engagement, and unifying partner. Like Gershman, Weitzman, Mervis, and so many other generous donors, to donate to the Jewish Federation to support its mission, combat antisemitism, help the community’s most vulnerable, support the Safe Indy initiative, and so much more, make your 2021 Annual Campaign donation online at jewishindianapolis.org/donate or by contacting Michael Skolnick, Senior Director of Development, at (317) 715-9274 or mskolnick@jfgi.org.