Centennial
Fund
Our Jewish Future.
Your Jewish Legacy.
For over a century, our Detroit Jewish community has flourished. Built upon a foundation of commitment, shared values and responsibility to one another, it is a place where our most vulnerable individuals are cared for and where a meaningful Jewish life is available to all.
But What Lies Ahead Over
the Next One Hundred Years?
The Jewish Federation’s Centennial Fund was created to answer this question. Launched in 2012, the Centennial Campaign is the most far-reaching and ambitious endowment effort in our community’s history. Our goal, however, is not simply to raise dollars, but rather to ensure the enduring strength and prosperity of our local and global Jewish community for generations to come.
Thanks to the generous and visionary commitment of hundreds of individual and family donors, Centennial is already making a profound impact on our local global Jewish community. Our social service agencies, schools, camps and other essential organizations are stronger today, and better prepared to meet the needs of tomorrow.
Areas of Focus
PACE
Creating a Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (PACE) fund allows donors to create a lasting legacy of support, ensuring that their annual gift to the Federation’s campaign continues in perpetuity.
By establishing a PACE fund, you are not only honoring the tradition of tzedakah (charity) but also investing in the future of the Jewish community.
Why Your PACE Fund Is Vital to Our Community
The Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign is the lifeblood of the Jewish community, providing vital support to a wide range of programs and services that enhance the lives of Jews in Detroit and beyond. From educational initiatives and social services to cultural activities and support for Israel, the Annual Campaign ensures that our community remains vibrant, resilient, and connected.
But the needs of our community are constant and ever-evolving, and our ability to respond year to year depends on a variety of factors, including the strength of the economy. That’s why its crucial to secure ongoing, reliable funding that can sustain these essential programs, especially in difficult times.
Facing an unpredictable future—including economic downturns, shifting demographics and a variety of unforeseen challenges—PACE provides our future leaders with ongoing Annual Campaign funds to respond to the needs of the day.
Join us in building a foundation of enduring support. Together, we can ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.
Jewish Identity & Education
The fabric of our community is built upon the wisdom, values and experiences that serve as the foundation of a vibrant Jewish life.
The Centennial Fund will provide ongoing support to organizations that spark and sustain Jewish identity, along with those that provide a foundation of Jewish education, and a love of lifelong learning for students of all ages.
Jewish Day Schools
Our day schools, include Hillel Day School, Frankel Jewish Academy, Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, Yeshiva Gedolah and Yeshivas Dachai Torah. These schools are the foundation of our community’s future, providing children with a comprehensive education grounded in Jewish values, traditions and history.
BBYO
BBYO shapes our community’s next generation of leaders by positively impacting the lives of Jewish teens in Metro Detroit, providing them with meaningful Judaic, social justice and leadership development programming.
Tamarack Camps
Established by the Fresh Air Society, Tamarack Camps, builds a vibrant community by providing enriching Jewish camping experiences for children and families, respectful of financial ability.
Hillels on Campus
The Hillel of Metro Detroit, MSU Hillel, and U of M Hillel create vibrant Jewish communities on campus, offering students opportunities for Jewish learning and engagement, social connection and leadership.
The J
The J strengthens our community by collaborating to provide excellent programs wherever you are, offering Jewish programming for every age and all segments of the community.
Global Jewish Responsibility
Klal Yisrael, the call to help Jews in need and build Jewish peoplehood in Israel and around the world, is an integral part of our living heritage.
We provide the resources to respond to global crises, protect at-risk populations, support Jewish community-building around the world and foster an ever-deeper partnership with Israel and its people.
Working primarily with our international partner agencies, JDC, JAFI and World ORT, Federation is connected to a variety of programs that sustain and strengthen Jewish life around the world.
Supporting Israel
Delivering essential resources to those in need, including food, medical supplies and housing support.
Funding scholarships and educational programs to nurture youth of all backgrounds, building a vibrant future the next generation of Israelis.
Supporting projects that build and sustain a deeply meaningful connection between Jewish Detroiters and their counterparts in our P2G partnership region of the Central Galilee.
Global Outreach
Rapid response to crises affecting Jewish communities worldwide.
Strengthening Jewish communities in the diaspora with resources for sustainable growth and development.
In these times of unprecedented challenges, support for our global community is more crucial than ever. By standing together, we ensure that the Jewish people—whether in Israel or in communities around the world—thrive and prosper.
The Centennial
Partner Campaign
The Partner Campaign is an accessible way for families and individuals to participate in this historic effort. Partner Level donors will be recognized along with our current Centennial donors on the Centennial Fund donor wall located at the Max M. Fisher Federation Building.
Your contribution of $100,000 to $999,000 will secure Jewish life for our children, grandchildren and many generations to come. All Centennial donations are Donor Designated. You decide how the funds will be used based upon your interests and vision for our community’s future.
The Partner Campaign is open to a variety of supporters, including:
Women’s Philanthropy Forever Lion Donors
Forever Lions will also be recognized annually at the Ruby Lion of Judah event.
NEXTGen Detroit Donors
Young Leadership Cabinet, Ben Gurion and Herzl Society members who participate by taking advantage of long-range planning opportunities.
Being Jewish is about giving. It’s about tzedakah. We learned it when we were in Sunday school and we learn it today in our temples and synagogues. When you give of yourself it makes you a bigger person.
Sandy Matthews
Categories
of Giving
The Centennial Fund will secure the long-term
future of the Detroit Jewish community.
Your gift will help provide a vibrant Jewish future for the next one hundred years.
Ways to Give to
the Centennial Fund
The Centennial Fund is designed to provide ease and flexibility to donors. Lifetime and testamentary gifts may be made in a variety of ways.
Lifetime
- Cash
- Appreciated Stock and Property
- IRA / Retirement Plans
Testamentary
- Bequests
- IRA / Retirement Plans
- Life Insurance
Split Gift
- Charitable Gift Annuities
- Charitable Remainder Trusts
- Charitable Lead Trusts
Foundation Grants
- Support Foundations
- Private Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds (Philanthropic Funds)
To learn more about ways to establish your legacy through a Centennial fund, we encourage you to speak with your Federation Representative or any member of our Philanthropic Advancement Team.
Call us at 248-642-4260
Social Need
Taking care of the most vulnerable members in our community is a central tenet of our Jewish values and a core area of focus for the Centennial Fund.
Your Centennial endowment can provide critical funding to our social service agencies: Gesher Human Service, Hebrew Free Loan, Jewish Family Service and Jewish Senior Life. These agencies ensure that those in need continue to receive the services necessary to lead happy, meaningful lives.
Caring for Older Adults
As individuals live longer, needs will continue to grow, especially since many do not have the financial means to sustain a comfortable and healthy life in their later years. More than 25% of our community’s seniors rely on the Jewish agencies and social programs that enhance their quality of life, combat loneliness and ensure that they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Empowering Job Seekers
We offer vocational training, career counseling, and job placement services to help job seekers. Our programs are designed to provide the tools and resources necessary for individuals to thrive in their careers and contribute positively to the community.
Supporting Individuals with Disabilities
Federation’s agencies offer programs that promote independence, social integration and personal growth for individuals with disabilities, from specialized job training and placement to recreational and social activities.
Strengthening Families and Individuals
Many Jewish Detroiters continue to face economic hardships, such as food insecurity, mounting bills, prohibitive childcare expenses and the resulting toll of stress and anxiety. We provide essential services to families facing financial hardship, ensuring they have access to food, shelter, and healthcare, along with counseling and educational support to help achieve stability and self-sufficiency.