As we pass the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, I am in awe of the strength, resilience, creativity, and generosity of our community. The past year has brought challenges and hardships we’ve never seen before, but it has also brought new opportunities to care for one another and reconsider and, in some cases, reinvent the way we live and work.
The Jewish Community Foundation is privileged to be a partner to so many individuals, families, and nonprofits in the area during this time. Together, we have made a positive impact during the pandemic through creative approaches to grantmaking, programming, and education, across the Kansas City community and beyond.
One small gift of 2020 was the reaffirmation of the Jewish Community Foundation’s purpose.
The Foundation was established more than 60 years ago “to ensure that our community would continue to be served, regardless of economic conditions or changing needs.” Our Foundation Family — how we refer to our fundholders, program participants, leadership, and community partners — coalesced as never before during the pandemic with an outpouring of compassion and generosity.
Since March of 2020, Jewish Community Foundation funds have distributed nearly $1 million dollars to pandemic relief efforts. From Jewish Family Services right here in our own community, to the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, to the World Central Kitchen, more than 100 organizations across the country have received support from Foundation funds.
From the outset of the pandemic, my team and I worked diligently to support our community partners and educate our fundholders about impactful ways to help.
We shared information about how to help organizations in both the Jewish and general communities, including promoting the Kansas City Regional COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, which provides grants to nonprofits disproportionately affected by the economic consequences of the pandemic, and the Federation’s Coronavirus Emergency Relief Fund.
One of the most rewarding services we offer at the Foundation is matching fundholders’ giving interests with needs in the community.
We connected one fundholder with Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy to provide microphones, webcams, tripods, and USB hubs to aid students in distance learning. Another fundholder purchased iPads so that Village Shalom residents could communicate virtually with family and friends. It’s our honor to make connections and create funding partnerships that have helped our beloved institutions creatively adapt their services during these unprecedented times.
Of the many benefits of having a fund at the Foundation, one of the most engaging is access to philanthropic education and resources. The Connecting Our Giving Community series offers events planned by JCF fundholders for JCF fundholders. During these events, like-minded givers come together to share ideas and discuss philanthropic topics.
Last May we held a special virtual Connecting Our Giving Community event on the topic of “Creative Ideas for Responding to the Pandemic.” Hosts Gail and Gary Weinberg led an engaging discussion about ways we can all connect with and help others while staying safe. The event generated a list of dozens of volunteer opportunities and ideas about simple ways to safely connect with friends, family members, and neighbors that may be found on our website.
Another virtual Connecting Our Giving Community event, to be hosted by Frank Lipsman and Janet Mark, is planned for this spring, where fundholders will explore how the pandemic has (or hasn’t) changed their charitable priorities.
In our role as a trusted community resource, over the past year we have met regularly with representatives from communal agencies and synagogues to offer guidance and support.
Our CFO Kevin Taylor and I assisted several organizations with the arduous process of applying for small business loans under the PPP program. In February, we hosted a virtual educational program for these community leaders that included best practices and tips for fundraising during the pandemic. Through both public and behind-the-scenes efforts, we’ve been with our partners every step of the way as we’ve navigated this crisis together.
While we’re not out of the dark yet, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. Whatever the future holds, know that the Jewish Community Foundation is here for you. With your support, we’ll continue working together to make a positive impact on our community and world.
Lauren Hoopes is executive director of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City