At $153.4m, NY federation campaign grows for 7th straight year

NEW YORK — At a time when many Jewish federations are reporting flat or declining fundraising, North America’s largest Jewish philanthropy said its annual campaign revenue has increased for the seventh consecutive year.

UJA-Federation of New York announced Tuesday it had raised $153.4 million through its 2016 annual campaign, which ended June 30, up by $2.6 million from 2015.

Outside the annual campaign, the federation raised $39.2 million through planned giving and endowments, and $15 million for capital projects and special initiatives, bringing its total fundraising for the fiscal year to $207.6 million.

“At a time of increasing challenge and uncertainty, we’re particularly grateful to our donors for their extraordinary generosity, enabling us to tackle an ever-growing list of urgent needs for millions of people in New York, Israel and around the world,” Eric Goldstein, UJA-Federation’s CEO, said in a news release. “From helping New Yorkers who live at or near poverty, to the growing threats of anti-Semitism and BDS on college campuses, to strengthening Israel and supporting Jewish life — the programs we fund will have immense impact in our community.”

UJA-Federation, which claims to be the world’s largest “local philanthropy,” has more than 50,000 donors and works with nearly 100 beneficiary agencies, along with numerous synagogues and other Jewish organizations.