Timely Program Ideas

Timely Program Ideas
Department of Congregational Programming
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
155 Fifth Avenue,
New York, NY 10010
212-533-7800 ext 2620

TPI 11: A Successful Kehilla Requires Fundraising in the Congregation

Motivated by a Mitzvah

Congregations find themselves in a situation where the basic operating budget is increasing every year, and basic membership dues are not sufficient to cover all of the synagogue's budgetary needs. The problem of insufficient funds increases when plans for expansion begin. Programs which will meet members' needs and perhaps draw new members, such as expanding the synagogue's facilities and starting new programs such as nursery school, youth activities, or senior citizens programs, are costly to run.

There are skills and methods to be learned about fundraising. With increased experience, fundraising can become a more comfortable task. Key factors for any good fundraising effort are a good working committee, a well-structured plan, and creative ideas. We have compiled some techniques and ideas that have been utilized in congregations. We can learn from one another and use that knowledge to build a successful fundraising campaign in our synagogue.

Coordinating the Fundraising Campaign

As a general proposition, the most effective fundraising is done on a face-to-face basis. This principle may or may not apply to the type of fundraising that your congregation is going to plan, but it clearly applies for building campaigns and endowment development. It is preferable to solicit certain members face-to-face prior to general synagogue appeals.

Organize a Committee

Begin with a good working committee of involved, respected, and standard-setting contributors, representing the various segments of your membership. You can't ask someone else to make a commitment until you've pledged. Committee members must be role models. At your committee meeting, make it an initial priority to decide and discuss the following:

1. What are the financial goals of the campaign? (Be inspiring but realistic). Look at last year’s figures and examine this year’s needs. Take into account changes in membership size and composition. What are the other fundraising drives in the community?
2. How will the campaign be organized? How many appeals from the pulpit, fundraising events, letter campaigns will take place?
3. What will the campaign calendar be? Spacing and timing are crucial.
4. What are the needs of your campaign?
5. Which members of the synagogue should be involved?
6. When will the meetings be held, and by what date should the campaign be completed?
7. Consider some role playing with your committee. Some practical examples are, “How to sell tickets”, or “Make an effective appeal.” Be sure that committee members are solicited before they begin to ask others for donations.
8. How will synagogue resources be used to develop the campaign? Bulletin board, newsletter, etc.
9. How will donors be acknowledged? Journal, dinner, gift, donor's concert, etc.

Traditional Fundraising Revisited

Membership Dues

Some synagogues utilize a “fair share” dues system. The more affluent family pays higher dues than the less and a single individual may pay less than a family. The assumption underlying this plan is that members should support the congregation according to their means. Synagogues that find this method unsuitable should encourage those who are able, to become “supporting” members. This concept involves an “extra” dues payment, the amount of which is determined by the synagogue. The “supporting” members sometimes belong to a club or society with various activities for its members to express appreciation. But even with the “best” structure of membership dues, many Synagogues find themselves required to raise more funds in order to maintain a high level of activities, programs, and schools.

Kol Nidre and Yizkor Appeals

The effectiveness of an annual appeal for funds held at the time of the High Holy Days is in direct proportion to the efforts expended beforehand. A face-to-face solicitation of members of the congregation has the highest rate of success in securing donations. Personal visits to key members' homes personalize the effort and help the synagogue leadership familiarize itself with its members. The visits should be conducted by a special committee or the Finance Committee. The committee should be prepared to present the annual budget and a realistic goal for the amount of money needed to be raised.

Membership Use Charges

Under this category are the charges to congregants for the use of the synagogue with respect to bar mitzvah, bat mitzvah, or wedding. The amount of funds to be raised will vary according to the age of the congregation, but it is not unusual to receive a vital portion of the total budget from bar and bat mitzvah charges and weddings. These charges are in no way related to income from catering, but are in addition thereto./p>

Creative Appeals and Fundraising Ideas

The only limit on the number of new and creative fundraising programs is the size of a committee and its creative abilities. The following are programs that have been implemented in some congregations:

• Special Appeals - Synagogues can select one or two areas of synagogue life and dedicate a Shabbat to an appeal on behalf of that specific event (i.e. religious school, scholarships for USY on Wheels, Camp Ramah, USY/Ramah Israel trips, new siddurim/chumashim/machzorim for the synagogue). Members with a "special love" will be more likely to give to this kind of campaign than to a general appeal.
• A Scholarship Fund for the School - Instead of merging the school deficit with the rest of the congregational budget, the school budget should be maintained distinctly. Determine the amount it costs to teach each child. The school deficit can take the form of so many children receiving the whole or part free tuition. An effort is then made to secure scholarships for these children. Many people will pay a whole or half scholarship who would not easily give a similar amount towards the congregation or towards the school.
• Donation Booklets - A fundraising project which has been found successful in a number of congregations begins with one to three hundred booklets printed, each containing one hundred tickets and stubs. The tickets are numbered from one hundred to one thousand, not consecutively. These booklets are distributed among workers who endeavor to secure donations for the congregation. Each prospective donor is asked to choose a ticket at random, and to pay as many cents as the ticket is numbered. The highest amount one could pay is $10.00 and the lowest is $1.00. Prizes are offered to the worker bringing in the most money and to one or more of the donors. The prizes for the donor are drawn by lot at a special function. The admission to the special function raises additional funds. It usually happens that before the drawing many buy additional tickets.

Other Income Sources

The following sources of fundraising can represent important portions of the budget:

• Bulletin Ads
• Donations for Building Use (nonaffiliated organizations)
• Donations for High Holy Day Seats
• Men's Club Activities
• Nursery School Registration/Tuition
• Raffles
• Sale of Cemetery Plots
• Sisterhood Programs
• Special Funds
• Summer Day Camp
• Tours to Israel for Adults/Families
• Remembrances, Plaques, Booklets

We have touched upon a few ideas for supplementing growing budgetary needs. The key factors in raising funds are a good committee, personal solicitation, and creative ideas. We will be happy to hear from you about your experience and degree of success.