Saturday, May 5, 2012

THE LAW OF INTENDED CONSEQUENCES?


As we all know, JFNA begat the GPT and, now, the GPT will begat...CHAOS!!



"Challenge and Opportunities in Fundraising from Federations and Family Funds in the USA
Learning Seminar

JFNA is a Jewish, Zionist organization that brings together 157 Federations and some 400 independent communities across the US and Canada. The Federations centralize and guide institutional Jewish activity, mainly fundraising from the community for Zionist and Israeli causes. The total amount of donations from American Jews to Israel has doubled in the past two decades. In 2007, $2.1 billion was raised for Israel. In past years many from the Jewish communities around the world are asking to be more involved in their philanthropic investments, to know where their money is going and to receive reports. Lately, JFNA is considering whether to allow additional organizations beyond the Jewish Agency and the Joint to compete for their funding which is around $140 million a year.

In the US, there are thousands of Jewish Family Foundations. Many of them contribute to Israel and the competition to receive funding from them is great. Only the most professional and persistent, succeed. During the seminar we will hear in detail about these Foundations, and how to fundraise additional money from them.

The Speakers:

·        Natan Golan – resume omitted

·        Jeff Kaye –resume omitted

The participants in the seminar will receive a list with information on 100 Family Foundations in the US.

The seminar will take place on Monday, May 14th, 2012, between 10:00-3:30 at the Weil Auditorium, #4 Hanetah St., Kfar Shmaryahu.

The cost of participation is 310 NIS (including VAT). Payment must be made in advance to participate."

The fund raising consultants' announcement of their Seminar for the literal 1000's of Israeli NGOs which might participate in the GPT process and, if not, might soon be knocking on federations donors doors, is probably welcomed by those at JFNA who still know nothing about the communal discipline necessary to run a successful Annual Campaign (or really don't care about this life's blood of the federation system). But, both Natan Golan and my dear friend Jeff Kaye know plenty about it...and about supplemental FRD, as well. 

Rumor has it that JFNA is putting great pressure on the consultants to cancel the Seminar. But, what's the carrot and what's the astick and do JFNA's professionals know the difference?

Were I a leader of an Israeli-based NGO, I would consider the 310 NIS cost of this Seminar to be a wonderful investment. If I were a federation leader I would be afraid...very afraid.

Rwexler 

3 comments:

  1. Instead of pressuring the consultants to cancel, JFNA should negotiate a group discount and send Jerry, Kathy and a few other senior professionals and lay leaders. Perhaps the consultants leading the seminar will be able to explain to the clowns at JFNA the importance of not burning bridges.

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  2. It probably is too late to save the Federation system as we knew it.

    Whether or not this seminar takes place, all Israeli institutions know that Federations' support for programs in Israel continues to shrink, thus the Israeli organizations will continue to build their fundraising operations in the States.

    Each week we hear of a new Israel organization American 501/c/3 being formed.

    A most telling example is that at the recent community Yom Ha'atzmaut celebration, sponsored by the Los angeles Israeli Consul-General, attended by 1000+ including most major leaders and donors,
    the organization highlighted was Israel based "Save A Child's Heart"!

    Sad....

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  3. JFNA operates in all 51 states if you include the state of confusion.

    Jeffie Pooh Kaye works for JFNA, no less. As a consultant to Fisher Flight. He goes on all their missions.

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