Philanthropist Services

Leverage and Giving Groups

In today’s deal-driven world every entrepreneur is looking for leverage. It’s only natural that this trend would impact the Jewish philanthropic world. CEJP openly embraces this opportunity and is committed, whenever possible, to leveraging your generosity.

Anyone who understands the complexity of the Jewish community understands that it requires a reputation for honesty, powerful connections, an appreciation for your partners’ needs and a commitment to detail in order to secure large matching funds.

CEJP, with the help of others, has secured over $4 million in matching funds from government agencies and foundations, in amounts ranging from $50,000 to $1 million.

An example of such leverage exists today in Ashkelon, where one of the families we advise has committed $1.67 million over five years to sponsor the Karev program, which provides after school enrichment programs for children. With the help of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies, CEJP was able to secure a matching commitment of $1.67 million from the municipality, insuring twice the number of at risk children would be served. Today, over 4,000 students participate in Karev in Ashkelon.

CEJP also anticipates a dramatic increase in the role funding circles/giving groups will play in shaping the future of Jewish philanthropy. Increasingly, major donors want to leverage each other’s funding by pooling their monies around areas of shared interest, enabling them to have a much greater collective impact.  

Such was the case in the spring of 2007 when CEJP facilitated the creation of the Philanthropic Partnership to Strengthen Northern Israel, a $1.5 million partnership between the Rashi Foundation and 10 philanthropists each of whom committed $100,000, to support education, leadership and volunteer initiatives. Following a six month period which was characterized by the participants as “inspiring,” “informative” and “the way philanthropy should be,” five organizations were funded and thousands of people benefited. In March of 2009, the partners committed to a second round of funding, resulting in commitments to six additional organizations in Northern Israel. (If you are interested in participating please contact us.)