Jewish United Fund (JUF) Company Profile

Background

The Jewish United Fund (JUF) of Chicago, established in 1900, serves as the central philanthropic organization for Chicago's Jewish community. Its mission is to mobilize resources to provide food, refuge, health care, education, and emergency assistance to over 500,000 Chicagoans of all faiths and millions of Jews worldwide. JUF funds a network of more than 100 agencies, schools, and initiatives, making it one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the United States.

Key Strategic Focus

JUF's strategic focus encompasses:

Human Services: Offering essential health and human services, including food assistance, healthcare, and support for individuals with disabilities.

Community Engagement: Facilitating Jewish experiences and connections through social events, leadership opportunities, and educational programs.

Combating Antisemitism: Implementing security measures, providing support on campuses, and training administrators to address and prevent antisemitism.

These initiatives aim to strengthen community bonds, support vulnerable populations, and promote Jewish life and values.

Financials and Funding

In the fiscal year ending June 2023, JUF reported:

Total Revenue: $117,138,769

Total Expenses: $124,160,159

Net Assets: $154,933,824

The primary sources of revenue included contributions ($108,811,771), program services ($6,946,331), and investment income ($756,171). Major expenses comprised grants and similar amounts paid ($48,723,246 to the Jewish Federations of North America and $41,377,939 to the Jewish Federation of Chicago), executive compensation ($2,861,459), and other salaries and wages ($10,807,056).

Leadership Team

JUF's executive leadership includes:

Lonnie Nasatir: President since 2019; previously served as a regional director for the Anti-Defamation League.

Wendy C. Abrams: Chair of the Board.

Boaz Blumovitz: Chief Financial Officer.

Dan Goldwin: Chief Public Affairs Officer.

Rabbi Louis A. Lazovsky, SPHR, SHRM-SCP: Vice President, Human Resources.

John Lowenstein: Senior Vice President, Engagement.

Tracy More: Senior Vice President, Annual Campaign.

Dr. Steven B. Nasatir: Executive Vice Chairman.

David Prystowsky: Chief Development Officer.

Jenny Puchtel: Chief Operating Officer.

David S. Rosen: Senior Vice President, Endowments.

Jim Rosenberg: Chief of Staff.

Joy Schwartz: Chief Marketing Officer.

Emily Sweet: Chief Impact Officer.

Jay Tcath: Executive Vice President.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The philanthropic sector, particularly within Jewish communities, is characterized by a network of organizations dedicated to supporting social services, education, and cultural initiatives. These organizations often collaborate and sometimes compete for funding and community engagement.

Competitor Analysis

A notable peer organization is the UJA-Federation of New York, which reported revenues of $276,193,000 and expenses of $252,005,000 in its most recent fiscal year. Both JUF and UJA-Federation focus on mobilizing resources to support Jewish communities locally and globally, offering services such as health care, education, and emergency assistance.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

JUF collaborates with various organizations to enhance its impact, including:

Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA): Through allocations to JFNA, JUF supports services to nearly 2 million individuals in Israel and 71 other countries.

Local Agencies: JUF funds a network of nearly 70 agencies and programs in the Chicago area, providing assistance to people of all faiths.

Operational Insights

JUF's strategic considerations include:

Community Engagement: Implementing programs that connect individuals to Jewish life and values, such as PJ Library, which provides free monthly Jewish books to children.

Crisis Response: Demonstrating the ability to pivot and respond to crises, as evidenced by its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, where JUF and its agencies became a lifeline for tens of thousands of people in need.