The Jewish Community Response and Impact Fund (JCRIF), a new partnership between funders, JFNA and USCJ will provide access to a multi-million dollar interest free loan program in support of US synagogues and partner organizations within the Conservative Movement.
The partnership is a unique collaboration between Jewish foundations, the Federation system, and individual major donors to provide targeted assistance to US members of our network experiencing financial distress as a result of the pandemic. Focused on maintaining the infrastructure of Jewish life that advances Jewish education, engagement and leadership, the funders supporting JCRIF believe investing in Jewish organizations and networks during this pivotal time will be vital to ensuring a strong future for American Jewry in the months and years to come.
In addition to Jewish Federation of North America, the Aviv Foundation, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, Jim Joseph Foundation, Maimonides Fund, Paul E. Singer Foundation, and the Wilf Family Foundation are involved.
The US loan program will provide short-term unsecured loans to alleviate cash flow challenges and to enable organizations to maintain services and/or make payroll in the coming 3-6 months. It will also provide bridging capital to support organizations as they seek access to SBA loans, or can be a source of capital to organizations that are not eligible for or are turned down for SBA loans.
There are numerous benefits to the interest-free loans, which will give synagogues and partner organizations some runway to continue to operate and employ staff while they:
- Assess contingency plans, including responsible expense reductions;
- Access other loans or interim financing, either through the CARES Act or through private banking;
- Undertake new or reoriented fundraising plans; or
- Begin to conceptualize strategic transactions, including consolidations, mergers, or structured wind-downs.
The Nonprofit Finance Fund (https://nff.org/) will act as the loan fund administrator and lender of record. Decisions will be made quickly with funds distributed shortly thereafter.
Applicants can include:
1. US Synagogues and organizations that are eligible for Small Business Administration loans, or that have another separate commitment of funds sufficient to pay down this short-term loan, or have a clear and likely plan for fundraising and/or revenue generation to pay down the loan, but need a bridge loan to get to the point that such funds can be of use;
2. US Synagogues and organizations for whom a short-term loan of at least $150,000 would make an essential difference in their ability to continue operations for at least the next six months, and
3. US Synagogues and organizations that have a reasonable likelihood of repayment of the loan from earned revenue, long-term loans, fundraising income, or otherwise within a maximum period of 48 months.
To learn more about this opportunity:
1. Watch the recording of a webinar by Shira Hutt, JFNA Chief of Staff and JCRIF liaison. You can also refer to these slides.
2. Download the attached documents relating to:
Submissions for the loan with all the necessary documents are due to USCJ c/o Tatiana Hernandez at [email protected] by Monday, June 1, 2020.
This initiative is available to US synagogues only. For any questions, please contact Jonathan Boiskin at (646) 519-9249 or [email protected].
