2019 ANNUAL REPORT History of the JCF Arthur’s Dream and Legacy In 1971 a group of Montreal Jewish leaders, headed by the visionary Arthur Pascal z”l recognized the need for the Jewish community to have a contingency fund in case of emergencies. The goal was to build an endowment fund, the income from which would be used to support innovative, timely, new giving as it helps get more charitable dollars to programs, while leaving the capital in place for thousands of grantees, while creating bequests “Who is a future generations. and other legacy gifts for many institutions to Over time, individuals and families began to ensure their future. The JCF has evolved into wise man? turn to the Jewish Community Foundation a hub for thousands of families who find value to manage their endowment funds. The in centralizing their philanthropic giving in one He who JCF established a donor-centric approach: place, while benefiting from expert advice listening to what donors wished to accomplish on charitable giving in the most tax-wise and learns of all philanthropically while facilitating and efficient manner. Thanks to our generous supporting their charitable goals. donors, the Jewish Community Foundation is, in essence, a bank for tzedakah; safeguarding, men.” Today, the JCF is recognised as a center of investing, issuing grants and ultimately helping excellence in smart philanthropy and planned families achieve their philanthropic dreams. – The Talmud 2 The Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal Mission Vision Values Inspire, promote Build a strong, Tzedakah, & innovate Jewish sustainable Tikun-Olam, philanthropy Montreal Jewish Continuity, community based Integrity, Inclusion on Jewish values $ 1.47 $ 130 2,273 Billion Million Funds in Assets in Grants and Charitable Programs Annual Report 2019 3 they care about. In the last year, our assets excited that the JCF has been selected to be Message from increased to $1.47 billion, as we established part of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s 140 new funds. LIFE & LEGACY program. This results-oriented the President four-year program assists local institutions We are grateful for the confidence our in building endowments through legacy gifts. fundholders continue to show by entrusting We are currently collaborating with 15 local their philanthropy to the JCF, and we marvel organizations who will be part of the first at their commitment to our community. Montreal cohort of this program. Together, As a result of our donors’ generosity, I am we will provide our Jewish day schools, pleased to report that this year our grants synagogues, social service organizations and and charitable activities jumped a staggering other Jewish entities with financial stability 21%, from $107 million to $130 million with and help ensure the vitality of our Montreal grants to over 1,000 registered Canadian Jewish community. charities and our own charitable programs. Of that amount, 13% was granted to Federation The Jewish Community Foundation has been CJA totalling over $16 million to the annual in the business of building legacies for close campaign. What is heartwarming is that to fifty years, and we are growing stronger these donations have the capacity to change with every year that passes. What began with lives in a profound way. Arthur Pascal’s vision for a secure future has evolved into a leader among philanthropic Our success is in large part due to the foundations. I am grateful for having had talented and passionate team at the the opportunity to serve as President of Foundation. Our professionals under the this remarkable organization. It has been capable and dynamic leadership of both humbling and exciting to witness its Kathy Assayag set the bar for community evolution as it fulfills its mission of promoting foundations in Montreal and across Canada. philanthropy, while always seeking to improve They provide our fundholders with top-notch and do more in order to realize our vision of a advice and support, while facilitating their strong and vibrant future. I am confident that donations through innovative initiatives under the able leadership of Danny Ritter, I am privileged to have served a two-year like our DonorCentral portal, which makes incoming president, the Jewish Community term as President of the Jewish Community granting more efficient and convenient. Foundation and to have worked with so many Foundation will continue to reach new heights talented volunteers and professionals for the I wish to thank my colleagues on the Board and remain a critical force in our community. benefit of our community. of Directors and our committees for their engagement, their insights and their wisdom. Wishing you Shana Tovah, Thanks to our commitment to smart They play a critical role in both setting philanthropy, we are making a difference and our strategic direction and promoting our our Foundation continues to grow. More and services. more Montrealers are turning to us to find tax-wise solutions, which enable them to When I began my term I talked about Barbara Novek make even bigger contributions to the causes reaching out, so I am especially proud and President 4 The Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal Message from the SERVICE – עבודה – Executive Director AVODAH Pirkei Avot, Ethics of our fathers, contain 89% were very or extremely satisfied, putting timeless wisdom. One of the teachings by us significantly ahead of other community Shimon the Righteous is that “the world rests foundations across North America who were on three pillars; Torah, Avodah and Chesed.” part of a similar study. Our professional 1;2. Of course, avodah is understood to mean staff is at the heart of this. They serve with temple work or service but until the rebuilding such dedication and consistently strive for of the holy temple in our beloved Jerusalem, excellence. we can ask ourselves what avodah means to Also, I think of the many years of service that us today relative to community. Barbara Novek so graciously gave the JCF. To our valued fundholders, service not only She joined the board in 2008, the Executive means sharing their resources through the in 2010 and has exemplified the best act of tzedakah but as we witness every day, attributes of leadership during her two-year taking a real interest in the charities they term as President. I cherish our partnership, support by lending time and knowledge to our friendship and know she will continue serve these organizations in a meaningful to be involved with the Foundation for many way. years to come. For the team at the JCF it is all about service. On a personal note avodah to me means Making sure that we are offering our very living with purpose and finding meaning by best as trusted advisors and helping families serving something bigger than myself. As I accomplish their philanthropic priorities. Last celebrate the start of my 6th year at the JCF, year we endeavored to measure the level of I continue to feel privileged to work with such Wishing you Shana Tovah, satisfaction of our services. We engaged an amazing clients, and feel particularly lucky to Sincerely, outside firm to conduct in-person interviews continue to benefit from Bobby Kleinman’s and on-line surveys to see if we are meeting experience and encouragement. I am deeply our clients’ expectations and how we might grateful to Joelle Mamane our CFO, who with improve. When asked to rate their overall the rest of our team members represent the level of satisfaction on a scale of 1-7 (1 being backbone of the Foundation. May we all move Kathy Assayag not satisfied and 7 being extremely satisfied), forward from strength-to-strength. Executive Director Annual Report 2019 5 Our Strategic Priorities Enhance relationships with current donors through timely, Strengthen our effective communication and relationships with professional 1 continue to offer the highest 3 advisors. quality of stewardship as a trusted advisor. Serve as a resource for Support the creation of philanthropy and encourage permanent endowment funds multi-generational conversations to help ensure sustainability for through our Family Philanthropy 2 community organizations. 4 Program. 6 The Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal As my grandson Nicholas grows up, “my wife and I want nothing more from him than to be a contributing member of society able to look after himself, his family and those less fortunate. Now that I have a reached a certain age, I can afford to give back, and I am grateful the JCF makes it so easy for me. — David Forest ” Annual Report 2019 7 8 The Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal “ The comprehensive range of services that the JCF provides is fantastic, but the real reward is the joy in making a difference in the lives of people who need help. What we have learned from our parents and grandparents, is the importance of giving back. This is the legacy that is being passed on to our children and, hopefully, to future generations of Etinsons. ” — Janie and Michael Etinson & Family Annual Report 2019 9 2.0% 2019 Allocations 7.0% 22.4 % $130 Million allocated to 1,000 34 .4 % Our fundholders continue organizations to direct their philanthropic and charitable dollars to the causes they 9.7% care about most, in both programs the Jewish and broader community. Last year, the 12.8% Jewish Community Foundation 7. 1% distributed over $130 million amongst 1,000 organizations and charitable programs. Arts & Culture 7.0% $9,100,700 Community & Social Services 34.4% $44,864,100 Education 7.1% $9,196,800 Federation CJA 12.8% $16,733,300 Health & Wellness 9.7% $12,595,700 International Aid 22.4% $29,122,300 Religious Institutions & Programs 4.7% $6,071,000 Other 2.0% $2,609,832 100% $130,293,732 10 The Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal Arts & Culture Camp Massad 23,000 Fondation Jeunes en Tête 47,600 Against the Grain Theatre 10,000 Camp Moshava 28,800 Fondation Le Grand Chemin 7,000 Allegra Foundation 8,100 Camp Pardas Chanah 11,500 Fondation Mont-de-La Salle 17,200 Brome Lake Theatre 5,300 Camp Ramah 17,000 Fondation Sercan 20,100 Canadian Vocal Arts Institute 13,500 Canada Charity Partners 8,100 Fondation Véro & Louis 5,000 Cinemania 188,000 Canada Company - Many Ways to Serve 10,500 Friendship Circle 71,400 Danse Danse Inc.