Communities Investing in the Future One Happy Camper at a Time
Founded in 1998, by the leadership and vision of Robert and Elisa Spungen Bildner, the Foundation for Jewish Camping was created as a public foundation dedicated solely to the Jewish overnight camp movement. Over the past 14 years, The Foundation has developed inspiring camp leaders, expanded access to and intensified demand for camp, and created programs to strengthen camps across the Jewish spectrum in North America. We have connected Jewish camp with excellence, and brought that spirit to camps in regards to leadership, programming, and facilities. Our research has proven that Jewish camping significantly and positively impacts adult Jewish choices and behavior. Today, the Foundation for Jewish Camp serves over 150 Jewish summer camps, 70,000 campers and 10,000 counselors every summer in North America. It is the single source for information about, and advocacy for, nonprofit Jewish overnight camps, and provides leadership, expertise and financial resources to camps, campers and their families.
OUR MISSION
The Foundation for Jewish Camp unifies and galvanizes the field of Jewish overnight camp and significantly increases the number of children participating in transformative summers at Jewish camp, assuring a vibrant North American Jewish community.
OUR VISION
Summers at Jewish overnight camp turn Jewish youth into spirited and engaged Jewish adults, laying the groundwork for strong Jewish communities. The Foundation for Jewish Camp aspires to elevate the field of Jewish camp, conferring proper recognition and granting appropriate support to expand its impact across our community, so that camp can be a critical element of every Jewish young person’s education.
Foundation for Jewish Camp
Dear Community Partners: Summers at Jewish overnight camp turn Jewish youth into spirited and engaged Jewish adults, laying the groundwork for strong Jewish communities. FJC aspires to elevate the field of Jewish camp, conferring proper recognition and granting appropriate support to expand its impact across our community, ensuring that camp can be a critical element of every Jewish young person’s education. By employing out-of-the-box thinking, and working collaboratively with partners like you, we have been able to change the perception of Jewish camp, garnering active and passionate support from philanthropists and Jewish communities alike. FJC has been privileged to play a special role in guiding philanthropic partners like you to invest in efforts which generate big, compelling returns. We will continue to work with current and new partners and communities, embrace the broad diversity of brands in Jewish camp, and innovate our approaches to reach even more kids. We have learned that today’s Jewish communities need and value camps for their role in generating and leveraging more passionate engagement. Working together, we will create a stronger, more vibrant Jewish future for generations to come. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Lee D. Weiss Jeremy J. Fingerman Board Chair Chief Executive Officer
onehappycamper.org 1
Camp Works The challenge of passing along Jewish connection and commitment to the next generation has become one of the most important concerns of the North American Jewish community. Based on the 2010 study by the Foundation for Jewish Camp, Camp Works: The Long Term Impact of Jewish Overnight Camp, there is now compelling evidence that overnight Jewish camp is a proven means of building Jewish identity, community and leadership.
JEWISH CAMP BUILDS JEWISH IDENTITY & COMMUNITY as adults, campers are:
2 Foundation for Jewish Camp
Moreover, overnight Jewish camp makes for sensational summers; FJC’s Camper Satisfaction Insights (CSI) research among current campers’ families since 2006 has shown extraordinarily high levels of enthusiastic satisfaction with, and endorsement of, the Jewish camp experience. North American Jewish overnight summer camps reach 70,000 campaged children every summer – but this represents only 10% of eligible camp-age kids. The One Happy Camper incentive program was created as a tool to drive enrollment by helping to reduce both the attitudinal and potential financial barriers that exist for many Jewish families.
“
We don’t have to repair the lack of adult engagement in Jewish life. If you invest in Jewish youth, you’re going to automatically get all kinds of engagement. Donors and philanthropists have to believe in this model. By investing in Jewish camp and other effective measures of Jewish engagement, you see the results 20, 30, 40 years from now.
”
–Professor Steven M. Cohen
Research Professor of Jewish Social Policy at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion and the Director of the Berman Jewish Policy Archive @ NYU Wagner.
onehappycamper.org 3
One Happy Camper Works In our effort to grow enrollment and increase awareness, FJC created the One Happy Camper (OHC) program thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor. The program’s singular mission is to increase the number of children benefiting from the transformative experience of Jewish summer camp. Aimed at attracting new campers who do not have daily, immersive exposure to Judaism, the program provides financial incentives to encourage parents to choose nonprofit overnight Jewish summer camp over other summer options.
One Happy Camper works to introduce children to Jewish summer experiences. one happy camper is:
creating Jewish summers
6
bringing Jewish experiences to a new audience
out of
would have stayed home or attended a non-Jewish summer experience
OHC recipients say that Jewish Camp is their only Jewish activity
instilling a new legacy of Jewish camping for families
OHC recipients’ parents did NOT attend Jewish camp. We know that parents who attended Jewish camp are more likely to send their own kids.
Since the success of the 2006 pilot in Chicago, the One Happy Camper program has expanded across North America. To date, over 30,000 campers have experienced Jewish overnight camp as a result of FJC’s partnership with 34 community-based organizations (Jewish federations/foundations), four national camp movements, 30+ individual camps and the Harold Grinspoon’s PJ Goes to Camp program.
4 Foundation for Jewish Camp
And it’s working! One Happy Camper recipients enjoy their summers at camp as much as their peers.
N. American
N. American
N. American
N. American
N. American
N. American
N. American
N. American
all
OHC
all
OHC
all
OHC
all
OHC
Campers
Campers
Campers
Campers
Campers
Campers
Campers
Campers
94% v 95%
89% v 89%
93% v 94%
84% v 87%
Overall Satisfaction
Overall Value
Likelihood to Recommend
Likelihood to Return to Camp
AND THEIR EXPERIENCE IS INFUSED WITH JEWISH EDUCATION, CREATING AWARENESS AND IDENTITY
N. American
N. American
N. American
N. American
all
OHC
all
OHC
Campers
Campers
Campers
Campers
96% v 98%
86% v 87%
Overall, creates ambiance and atmosphere where your child is proud to be Jewish
Increases awareness of your child’s Jewish identity and/or their activity/participation in synagogue or in our local Jewish community.
Based on “5”/“4” ratings on a 5 point scale Camper Satisfaction Index, Summer 2010.
onehappycamper.org 5
One Happy Camper Successes and Evolutions: One Happy Camper has served as an impetus to furthering community involvement in Jewish camp. To date, nine community partners are entirely self-funding their local One Happy Camper program, having successfully integrated it as a central priority in their agency’s agenda. These communities include: Cincinnati, Columbus, Greensboro, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Middlesex County (NJ), New Hampshire, Palm Beach (FL) and Philadelphia. As camp receives greater recognition as a successful educational and Jewish identity-building vehicle, new supporters and philanthropic investments are being received by federations to support the field of Jewish Camp. Communities are using One Happy Camper as a platform to create a camp program or deepen an existing one; and for some communities, it is the first time that significant resources of both talented professionals and funds are being directed to camp. What started as a singular investment for Jewish camp focused on camper incentives has grown, encouraging local funders and federations to develop new programs that go beyond financial investments, lending their human resources and talented professionals to the mix. Some examples are: • Community-sponsored Jewish camp professionals: Several communities have created new positions dedicated to promoting Jewish camp. These professionals have become experts, learning about the local Jewish camp opportunities and national specialty camps, identifying new camper families, cultivating local camp advocates and promoting camp throughout the community. In addition, many communities have developed ambassador programs to find new markets and help more families make a Jewish camp decision. • Synagogue Engagement: Less than 10% of eligible children from Reform and Conservative congregations are attending Jewish camp. Over the past two years, FJC launched several pilots across North America to promote Jewish overnight camp within synagogues. Through these pilots, we are exploring a child’s Jewish education as a year-round endeavor, seeking to create links between camps and congregations and to increase the number of synagogue children
6 Foundation for Jewish Camp
going to camp. FJC is working to forge strategic partnerships between the federation and synagogues with the goal of finding advocates “within their walls” in order to increase camp participation. • Professional Development: Some communities are providing workshops or consultation for their regional camps in the areas of marketing and fundraising. These programs are supporting camp professionals to deliver their already successful program at an even higher level. • Integrated Marketing: Inspired by FJC and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s partnership – PJ (Library) Goes to Camp – community partners are taking a holistic approach to family engagement by integrating the message of Jewish camp into already successful programs.
As we look toward the future, FJC’s work will focus on: 1. CAMPER ACQUISITION: We are addressing enrollment growth first and foremost by focusing on affordability. Additionally, we will identify new portals to entry and meet new market demands such as special needs, specialty camp options and recruitment of campers from culturally diverse markets. 2. PROGRAM EXCELLENCE: FJC will offer access to innovative programming and promote out-of-the-box thinking to solidify camp culture, increase Jewish values, and retain more campers. 3. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: We will focus on both lay and professional development to take the field to new heights. 4. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: FJC is focused on fostering connections to create avenues for camps to connect with communities, schools, JCCs, and synagogues to share educational best practices and drive enrollment growth.
onehappycamper.org 7
One Happy Camper Community Partners Since 2006, over 34 communities have signed on as FJC’s partners to support a One Happy Camper program. We thank our partners and their supporters for their continued dedication to the field of Jewish overnight camp. Note: This is not a complete listing of all that Jewish communities do to support Jewish camp. This is a general overview of our One Happy Camper partners’ activities; data provided through Summer 2011.
Arkansas
Jewish Federation of Arkansas Partner Since 2008 Total Grants: 21
The Jewish Federation of Arkansas seeks to provide children in Arkansas an incentive to experience Jewish camps. By attending Jewish camps, our youth will continue to build on a Jewish foundation. Donor
gift details
Tenenbaum Foundation
OHC
Boston, MA
Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston Partner Since 2007 Total Grants: 1,585
Since 2005 CJP’s Jewish Overnight Camp Initiative has partnered with Greater Boston congregations to provide grants to first-time campers and to develop a comprehensive program to integrate Jewish overnight camping into the fabric of the congregations. In 2007, in partnership with FJC, we developed a robust camping program that plays a critical role in our commitment to offering formal and informal Jewish educational opportunities that help ensure our next generation is connected to Jewish life. We are committed to developing a holistic approach to Jewish camping focused on both the One Happy Camper grants, and our congregation focus as an educational strategy and expansion of our needs–based scholarship resources, so that families will be able to attend now and in the future. Donor
gift details
11 individual gifts ranging from $1,800 to $250,000
OHC
2 gifts
Scholarship
One Happy Camper (OHC) Incentive Grants
Scholarship
8 Foundation for Jewish Camp
Self-funding Partner
Calgary, Canada
Calgary Jewish Federation Partner Since 2010 Total Grants: 13
Many of the leaders of the Calgary Jewish community spent their summers at Jewish overnight camps – and are good examples of the role camp plays in fostering Jewish identity and raising the Jewish leaders of tomorrow. In recognition of the importance of the Jewish camping experience, Calgary Jewish Federation encourages participation through One Happy Camper and through bursaries offered to families in need. Donor
gift details
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard and Faigel Shapiro in memory of Ted Riback
OHC
Central New Jersey
Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey Partner Since 2011 Total Grants: 42
Central New Jersey has always been a strong supporter of our local day camps through scholarship initiatives. A top communal priority is Jewish education, both formal and informal, as well as outreach and engagement. We realized that Jewish overnight camp and the One Happy Camper program embodies both of these priorities. Our goal for the program is to engage as many people, both young and old, in the Jewish community by creating multiple points of entry.
“
I t defies explanation but there is something inherently special about Eisner Camp for my child. A wonderful sense of belonging and Jewish identity was observed from the first year and every year thereafter. –One Happy Camper Parent, Newton, MA
Day School Camper Incentive Grants
”
Professional Development and other Support
onehappycamper.org 9
Chicago, IL
Chicago One Happy Camper Partner Since 2006 Total Grants: 5,500
In 2006, the Foundation for Jewish Camp in partnership with Jewish camps across the Midwest piloted the One Happy Camper program. This partnership was made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor, with the singular mission of increasing the number of children benefiting from the transformative experience of Jewish summer camp. Aimed at attracting new campers who do not have daily, immersive exposure to Judaism, the program provides financial incentives to encourage and motivate parents to choose Jewish summer camp for their children. During this pilot year 725 campers attended Jewish camp. Since then the program has thrived and now can be found in 34 communities across North America, in addition to partnerships with 30+ camps and camp movements and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Over 30,000 campers have attended a non-profit Jewish camp through the One Happy Camper and related programs. Donor
gift details
One Happy Camper’s Anonymous Donor
OHC
Foundation for Jewish Camp
OHC
Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
2012 Local Administrator
Rabbi Dennis Katz, z�l
Lay Champion
Mr. Todd Bodenstein
2006-2011 Local Administrator
One Happy Camper (OHC) Incentive Grants
Scholarship
10 Foundation for Jewish Camp
Self-funding Partner
Cincinnati, OH
The Jewish Overnight Camping Program of Cincinnati Partners Since 2006 Total Grants: 450
Increasing participation in overnight Jewish camp is a long term community goal. We are working with funders and other key stakeholders to consider the many ways we can provide additional support for overnight Jewish camp and for families who wish to send their children to them. Donor
gift details
Dr. Getzel Cohen
Donor and Director of Program
The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati
Lead Donor
Sylvia Shor and Shelly Shor Gerson
Lead Donors
Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
Program Administrator
Cleveland, OH
Jewish Education Center of Cleveland/Jewish Federation of Cleveland Partner Since 2010 Total Grants: 515
The Jewish Education Center of Cleveland through its partnership with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland has provided camp incentive grants to students for many years. With the One Happy Camper partnership, we have been able to increase the number of incentive grants to over one hundred additional students each summer. Our goal is to increase the number of campers going to Jewish overnight camps. Donor
gift details
Madav IX, a supporting Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Camp Incentive Grants
Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Camp Incentive Grants
Anonymous Donors
Camp Incentive Grants
Day School Camper Incentive Grants
Professional Development and other Support
onehappycamper.org 11
Colorado
Jewish Community Foundation/Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado Partner Since 2012 New!
For years, we have known about the power of a Jewish overnight summer camp experience and its impact on the Jewish identities of the children who have been given the gift of Jewish camp. In Colorado, we have three high-quality options for Jewish residential camp experiences (JCC Ranch Camp, Ramah Outdoor Adventure, and Shwayder Camp), and in the summer of 2011, approximately 1,200 Jewish children experienced a Jewish summer at one of these camps. In addition, several hundred children from Colorado attended one of nearly 150 Jewish residential summer camps in North America. Given the success of JWest Campership Initiative we saw One Happy Camper as an opportunity to leverage the strength of a successful program, help our local camps continue attracting first-time campers, and connect with families throughout Colorado regardless of the final camp destination. Donor
gift details
Melinda Goldrich
OHC
Dore Leiser
OHC
18 Pomegranates Foundation
OHC
Jerry and Marilyn Kopelman
OHC
Steve Kris
OHC
Jackie & Mark Wong
OHC
“
Before becoming a One Happy Camper parent, I had never considered making a donation to my Federation. But it was exciting to see the community investing in my family and now I plan to give back…
”
–One Happy Camper Parent, Columbus, OH
One Happy Camper (OHC) Incentive Grants
Scholarship
12 Foundation for Jewish Camp
Self-funding Partner
Columbus, OH
The Columbus Jewish Federation Partner Since 2008 Total grants: 141
The Columbus Jewish Federation (CJF) is proud to be one of the first partnership communities with the Foundation for Jewish Camp. CJF will continue to help make this transformative experience for youth possible through fundraising and marketing. We are also now making it easier for donors to make “restrictive gifts� to our annual campaign. One of our signature programs is Jewish overnight camp grants and scholarships. This will help increase the available funds as demand has increased. CJF is committed to helping all families send their campers to Jewish overnight camp, and provides camp scholarships for those that are not eligible for One Happy Camper grants (e.g. Jewish day-school children and retuning campers) for up to two additional summers. Donor
gift details
Bonnie and David Milenthal
OHC and Scholarship
Michael and Patti Schiff
OHC and Scholarship
Jason Goldberg
OHC and Scholarship
Dallas, TX
Center for Jewish Education of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas Partner Since 2007 Total Grants: 430
The Dallas Jewish community through the federation wants to ensure no Jewish child forgoes overnight Jewish summer camp due to financial constraints or lack of knowledge about the impact, identity and joy Jewish summer camp provides. We provide One Happy Camper incentive grants and needs-based funding for camper families needing assistant through the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation. Donor
gift details
Jaynie Schultz and Ron Romaner
OHC
Leslie and Howard Schultz
OHC
Day School Camper Incentive Grants
Professional Development and other Support
onehappycamper.org 13
Greensboro, NC
Greensboro Jewish Federation, Temple Emanuel and Beth David Synagogue Partner Since 2007 Total Grants: 111
The Greensboro One Happy Camper partners are beginning a fundraising campaign to build the federation’s Incentive Camp Grant Endowment Fund so that a yearly distribution will cover the cost of the grants distributed in each given year to public school and Jewish day school students. Our vision is that by helping to send our youth to Jewish overnight camp, we are 1) helping enhance the Jewish identity of our community’s youth, 2) encouraging them to travel to Israel on peer trips as young adults, and 3) building the future Jewish leadership of our community. Donor
gift details
Mrs. Shelly Weiner
Greensboro Jewish Federation Camp Incentive Grant Fund
Mrs. Phyllis Shavitz
The Greensboro Jewish Federation Stanley Shavitz Camp Judaea Camper Incentive Grant Fund
Halifax, Canda
Atlantic Jewish Council Partner Since 2010 Total Grants: 31
Throughout the Jewish communities in Atlantic Canada, Jewish camp remains the cornerstone of Jewish life. The vitality of our community is directly correlated to the impact of Jewish camp and our community camp, Camp Kadimah, on our community members and leaders. Through the promotion of One Happy Camper and providing financial aid to enable more kids to attend Jewish summer camp, we are ensuring a vibrant Jewish future for our youth and Atlantic Canada.
Indianapolis, IN
Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis Partner Since 2008 Total Grants: 134
One Happy Camper (OHC) Incentive Grants
Scholarship
14 Foundation for Jewish Camp
Self-funding Partner
Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis continued
Due in large part to One Happy Camper grants, we’ve been able to move Jewish camp higher on the community agenda. Community agencies and synagogues have been recruited to heighten the image of Jewish camp. There is now considerable interest in and excitement about Jewish camp, which we are trying to translate into the establishment of an endowment for camp. We are developing a community program for kids with special needs and are promoting special needs camps with this group. Donor
gift details
Elaine Reuben
OHC
Kansas City, KS
Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City Partner Since 2009 Total Grants 59
One of the greatest challenges facing the North American Jewish community is ensuring the Jewish identity of our children. Studies show that participation in quality Jewish camping is associated with increased Jewish identity, affiliation and engagement. Jewish youth have the opportunity to explore their interests and talents in an environment in which campers are exposed to Jewish practice and can experience Judaism in a new setting. Jewish educational overnight summer camps are more than just “fun.” Environment, programming, relationships and traditions weave together, creating a “complete Jewish space.” Jewish camps have the potential to transform the lives of campers, their families, their congregational communities and the Jewish community. The goals of the Jewish Federation are to offer at least 25 first-time camper incentive grants in 2012 and those who received grants in the past continue to attend Jewish summer camp after year one. Donor
gift details
The Lowenstein Family Supporting Foundation of The Jewish Community Foundation
Incentive Funds, Day School Campers
Community Legacy Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation
Incentive Funds, Day School Campers
The Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City
Incentive Funds, Day School Campers
Day School Camper Incentive Grants
Professional Development and other Support
onehappycamper.org 15
Los Angeles, CA
Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles Partner Since 2007 Total Grants: 4,000 (approx.)*
Our federation is deeply committed to Jewish camping. It is an essential part of our strategy to ensure the Jewish future. We work with every camp serving Greater Los Angeles to enable them to serve as many young people as possible and we work with the camps together to address shared opportunities and challenges. *Includes JWest LA Donor
gift details
Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
Jewish Overnight Summer Camp Support Initiative
Louisville, KY
Jewish Community of Louisville Partner Since 2012 NEW!
For children, overnight Jewish summer camp experiences are among the strongest positive influences on Jewish identity. At overnight camp, everyone is Jewish and often friendships made at camp can last a lifetime! Living Jewishly is the norm and learning about Judaism is part of the fun. To enable as many children as possible to take advantage of these opportunities, the Jewish Community of Louisville has ensured that no one misses out due to financial reasons. Thanks to the generosity of our community and a number of families we have options to make sure that everyone can have great camp experiences! Donor
gift details
Laura K. Cohen
Camp Scholarship Fund
Frankenthal Family
Ramah Camp Scholarship Fund
Miriam and Dennis Fine
Beber Camp Scholarship Fund
One Happy Camper (OHC) Incentive Grants
Scholarship
16 Foundation for Jewish Camp
Self-funding Partner
Memphis, TN
Jewish Foundation of Memphis Partner Since 2010 Total Grants: 59
Memphis is extremely fortunate to have two families who fully support the One Happy Camper initiative by funding incentive grants for both first and second year campers. Our goal is to introduce local Jewish children without regular exposure to Judaism via a Jewish day school to an environment where Judaism is celebrated on a daily basis. Working with area synagogues, rabbis and camp recruiters, the Jewish Foundation of Memphis’ One Happy Camper incentive recognizes the powerful influence a Jewish summer camp experience can have on decisions campers make later in life. For summer 2011, incentive grant recipients attended six camps in five different states: Six Points Sports Academy in North Carolina, URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Mississippi, B’nai B’rith Beber Camp in Wisconsin, Camp Barney Medintz and Camp Ramah Darom in Georgia, and Camp Sabra in Missouri. Donor
gift details
Debra and Alex Saharovich
OHC – 1st Time Grant Incentive
Barbara and Earl Magdovitz
OHC – 2nd Time Grant Incentive
Day School Camper Incentive Grants
Professional Development and other Support
onehappycamper.org 17
MetroWest, NJ
MetroWest Jewish Camp Enterprise Partner Since 2007 Total Grants: 569
The MetroWest Jewish Camp Enterprise, run by United Jewish Communities of MetroWest, seeks to transform the role of Jewish camp in our community by significantly increasing the number of children attending Jewish camps and broadening awareness of, and support for Jewish camp community-wide. This $2 million, five-year initiative comprises four key components: One Happy Camper incentive grants, a full-time Jewish Camp Manager, sophisticated marketing and recruitment strategies, and a Fundraising Academy to help regional Jewish camps increase their own development capacities. The MetroWest Jewish Camp Enterprise is a collaborative effort involving private donors, the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest, The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life (A UJC MetroWest agency), regional “partner camps” spanning the denominational spectrum, the Foundation for Jewish Camp, and the Grinspoon Institute for Jewish Philanthropy. The goal is to permanently and significantly shift the focus from “camp” to “Jewish camp” across the community. Donor
gift details
Paula and Jerry Gottesman
MetroWest Jewish Camp Enterprise
Archie Gottesman and Gary DeBode
MetroWest Jewish Camp Enterprise
Elisa Spungen Bildner and Rob Bildner
MetroWest Jewish Camp Enterprise
Gary Aidekman Family Foundation
OHC
Cooperman Family Fund for a Jewish Future
MetroWest Jewish Camp Enterprise
“
My 8 year-old came back from camp wanting to go to Hebrew school, so that she could speak Hebrew (at camp) to the counselors from Israel.
”
–One Happy Camper Parent, Middlesex, NJ
One Happy Camper (OHC) Incentive Grants
Scholarship
18 Foundation for Jewish Camp
Self-funding Partner
Middlesex, NJ
Middlesex County Jewish Federation Partner Since 2007 Total Grants: 153
We have clearly come to acknowledge the valuable role that Jewish camping plays in helping to shape and nurture the Jewish identity formation of Jewish children and youth. Our participation in the One Happy Camper program has enabled us to demonstrate our firm commitment to this process. By role modeling this message, we are eager to encourage others to join with us in helping to underwrite a continuation of this effort. Donor
gift details
Pavlovsky Endowment Committee
OHC
Montreal, Canada
GEN J Partner Since 2008 Total Grants: 549
The GEN J Camping Initiative aims to significantly increase the number of children attending Jewish overnight camp over the next five years. In doing so, we will be leveraging a tremendous opportunity to transform young lives and help secure a vibrant Jewish future. The Camping Initiative supports actions intended to promote and strengthen: • Awareness of and access to Jewish camps by the Montreal Jewish community, especially to those outside of the Jewish day school system • Economic and long-term institutional viability of individual camps through strengthening their governance, professional leadership capabilities, revenue-generating enrollment, fundraising strategies and long-term planning processes • Jewish educational programming in the camps • Community-wide camp system planning and collaboration across camps • Synergies between the camping system and other spheres of Jewish life, including but not restricted to cross-promotion, Jewish education, young adult engagement and leadership A number of complementary camping initiatives have been launched in the areas of access and enrollment, capacity building, research and marketing. Donor
gift details
The Schwartz and Segel Families
GEN J Camping Initiative
Day School Camper Incentive Grants
Professional Development and other Support
onehappycamper.org 19
New Hampshire
Jewish Federation of New Hampshire Partner Since 2008 Total Grants: 53
Over the past four years, the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire (JFNH) in partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Camp has provided One Happy Camper grants to 53 campers. JFNH is committed to this initiative because all of our children attend schools with few or no other Jewish children. We know that immersion in a Jewish camping experience provides lifelong friendships, new skills and informal and exciting Jewish education that is not available to them in NH.
“
y daughter is really enjoying becoming more connected M to the Jewish community. She even discussed marrying a Jewish husband this morning—and she’s only 9. –One Happy Camper Parent, New York, NY
”
New York, NY
UJA-Federation of New York Partner Since 2010 Total Grants: 175
UJA-Federation of New York provides first-time camping incentives and marketing assistance for the three UJA-Federation network camps: Berkshire Hills Emanuel, Poyntelle-Lewis Village, and Surprise Lake. When we developed this program, we identified the camps’ need for quality marketing assistance, as we recognized the positive correlation between strategic camp marketing and successful camper recruitment. Therefore, the program has two complementary components: providing incentive grants for first-time campers from the UJAFederation catchment area attending these camps, while also providing marketing assistance for the three camps. We are aiming to achieve the following program goals: recruit new campers from areas within the UJA-Federation catchment area who are currently underrepresented at the camps; help the camps develop expertise in marketing and recruitment, individually and as a cohort; and cultivate stronger working relationships between the camps and Jewish institutions in New York.
One Happy Camper (OHC) Incentive Grants
Scholarship
20 Foundation for Jewish Camp
Self-funding Partner
Northern New Jersey
Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey Partner Since 2009 Total Grants: 269
For the last three summers, the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey has partnered with the Foundation for Jewish Camp to raise the visibility of Jewish camps, to galvanize Jewish institutions and communal professionals to promote Jewish overnight camps, and to encourage families to send their children to Jewish camps. We aim to raise funds to continue this effort for many years. Realizing that promotional efforts build on each other, our marketing strategy has been multitiered. We networked with and provided marketing tools to congregations, Jewish communal institutions, and Jewish professionals who have regular contact with marginally-affiliated and affiliated Jews. We sent e-blasts to different constituencies and placed online and print ads. Each effort in the multi-tiered approach reinforced the previous seeds that had been planted by other marketing techniques. In the first two years we doubled the number of first-time incentive grants, and in the third year we made inroads to families with Israeli-born parents. Donor
gift details
Susan and Julie Eisen
OHC
Mark and Beth Metzger
OHC
Berman Grandchildren/ Ruth Rosen Scholarship Fund
OHC
Omaha, NE
Jewish Federation of Omaha Partner Since 2011 Total incentives: 3
The Jewish Federation of Omaha has supported residential summer camping experiences for decades through its “Jewish Experience Grant� program in addition to need-based scholarships. Our new partnership with OHC has provided a natural enhancement to these programs in encouraging as many children/teens in our community to experience the wonders of a Jewish summer camp.
Day School Camper Incentive Grants
Professional Development and other Support
onehappycamper.org 21
Palm Beach, FL
Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County Partner Since 2009 Total Grants: 167
It is the goal of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County to ensure that the maximum number of Jewish campers attend a Jewish overnight camp. We do this by making families aware of the various forms of financial assistance available, and by staffing an Overnight Camp Help Desk whose sole purpose is to ensure that each camper is sent to a camp that offers programs designed to fit the contours of their values, intellect and interests. These services are handled by the Jewish Teen Initiative, a department of the Jewish Federation, whose mission is to maximize involvement of teens in the Greater Palm Beaches in Jewish activities. Donor
gift details
Anonymous Donor
Scholarship and OHC
“
[The Jewish Federation] went out of their way to help me figure out the process. I couldn’t have done this for my daughter without the help of One Happy Camper and Jewish Federation.
”
–One Happy Camper Parent, Palm Beach, FL Palm Springs, CA
Jewish Federation of Palm Springs and Desert Area Partner Since: 2012 NEW!
For many years, we have raised money to make sure Jewish children from our community have the ability to go to summer camp, whether by subsidizing the camp fees or holding camps for them. We would like to enable more children to have these experiences, by either helping those already engaged in Jewish culture or introducing more children to living Jewishly.
One Happy Camper (OHC) Incentive Grants
Scholarship
22 Foundation for Jewish Camp
Self-funding Partner
Philadelphia, PA
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Partner Since 2008 Total Grants: 1,258
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia values the long-term impact that Jewish overnight camps have on the development of Jewish identity. We are proud to partner with the Foundation for Jewish Camp and the Neubauer Family Foundation on the One Happy Camper program in Philadelphia, which has helped to boost enrollment in recent years. We are also pleased to provide needs-based scholarship support to low and middle-income families who annually struggle to provide their children with this essential Jewish identity experience. Finally, we are striving to find new ways to partner with Philadelphia-based overnight camps to help build capacity and to infuse their unique energy into our community. Donor
gift details
Neubauer Family Foundation
OHC
Sherrie R. Savett, Esq.
Scholarship
Camp Council, Inc.
Scholarship
Pittsburgh, PA
Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Partner Since 2010 Total Grants: 202
Jewish overnight camp is a pillar of the Centennial Fund for a Jewish Future, our local endowment campaign meant to support programs that establish a lifelong connection to Judaism and the Jewish people – the others are Israel travel, and Jewish education. Our stated community goal is to increase overall the number of Pittsburgh children attending Jewish camps every summer, with a particular focus on overnight camp. We seek nothing less than to ensure the future of our Jewish community. Donor
gift details
Centennial Fund for a Jewish Future
OHC
Day School Camper Incentive Grants
Professional Development and other Support
onehappycamper.org 23
Rhode Island
Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island Partner Since 2011 Total Incentives: 31
Our Jewish Alliance is thrilled with the opportunity to partner with the Foundation for Jewish Camp in the One Happy Camper program. Studies confirm the obvious justification for our involvement—Jewish camping provides great benefits not just for individuals but for the entire Jewish community. The One Happy Camper program also enables our Alliance to aid our synagogues, which do not have sufficient funds to provide the camperships their members seek. We value such three-way partnerships and the ability to leverage each other’s funds while investing in the future not only of Jewish individuals but of our Jewish community. Donor
gift details
The Alliance Community Campaign
OHC
San Diego, CA
Jewish Federation of San Diego County Partner Since 2011 Total Grants: 123
We have just completed our inaugural year, successfully sending off 123 campers to over 12 camps across North America. In the coming year, we hope to provide over 200 incentive grants to new campers. Our marketing plan includes a large social media presence, increased visibility among 6th, 7th and 8th graders as well as a synagogue camp liaison program planned for fall 2012. Currently, we are creating a “hands on” camp style curriculum together with individual synagogue camp fairs where the camps set up activities for families and kids. Through these activities we are seeking to achieve a way for potential camp families to learn about the various overnight camps, meet staff and experience a touch of camp life. Our fundraising efforts are taking on the spirit of camp too, by having a competition between the Woman’s Philanthropy group and the Men’s Division to see who can raise the most money for the One Happy Camper program. Donor
gift details
Leichtag Foundation
OHC Incentive Grants
Mrs. Dawn Berson
OHC Incentive Grants
Mr. Edward Samiljan
OHC Incentive Grants
Mr. Alan Friedman
OHC Incentive Grants
One Happy Camper (OHC) Incentive Grants
Scholarship
24 Foundation for Jewish Camp
Self-funding Partner
St. Louis, MO
Jewish Federation of St. Louis Partner Since 2011 Total Grants: 51
The St. Louis Jewish Community appreciates the tremendous value of Jewish summer camping and aims to open the door for Jewish youth to enjoy this transformative experience. The Jewish Federation of St. Louis has placed ensuring the Jewish identity and engagement of future generations as a strategic priority. Because Jewish summer camps have a clear record of forging and fostering enduring Jewish identity, the Jewish Federation of St. Louis is excited to offer One Happy Camper gifts and promote Jewish summer camping. Our local efforts include building relationships between camps, congregations, other agencies, and individual community members. We strive to get the word out to new families through a variety of strategies, including our newly-created social media presence, as well as through events and traditional media outlets.
“
Camp is a frequent topic of conversation all year round, and when spoken about, it is spoken about in the present tense— “what we do”—rather than something that happened in the past – “we did this.” This highlights the connection that lasts long after camp is over that reminds me, as a parent, that this was money and time well spent for my child.
–One Happy Camper Parent, Los Angeles, CA Syracuse, NY
Jewish Federation of Central New York Partner Since 2011 Total Grants: 7
The Jewish Federation of Central NY believes in the value of a Jewish overnight summer camp experience, one where our youth learn new skills, discover that they can thrive in an away-from-home environment and where they can create deep, lifetime friendships. Jewish overnight summer camp is a place where being Jewish is easy and fun and offers opportunities to create and experience a joyful Jewish life that is personal and intense, regardless of observance pattern or movement affiliation.
Day School Camper Incentive Grants
Professional Development and other Support
onehappycamper.org 25
Toronto, Canada
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto Partner Since 2008 Total Grants: 1,228
Toronto’s (UJA-Federation of Greater Toronto) partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Camp has produced significant results since 2007. Top Bunk, the local One Happy Camper initiative, has provided over 1,200 campers with incentives to attend camp. J-Academy, a new camping experience for Russian-speaking teens is now moving into its third year and has had tremendous impact locally. Our efforts have resulted in multiple capital campaigns raising over $3 million in facility improvements at five of the eight area camps. Most recently, our partnership with FJC has led to the establishment of multiple Community Foundation gifts most significantly of which is the Silber family fund to establish a home for Jewish camping with an initial gifts of $1 million for camping innovation and development. Donor
gift details
Silber Family
Established The Toronto Centre for Jewish Camp
Phyllis & Ab Flatt Family Endowment
OHC (Top Bunk)
Gerry Maldoff
OHC (Top Bunk)
Shiff Family
Inter Camp Programming Scholarships
Washington DC
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Partner Since 2010 Total Grants: 336
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s One Happy Camper program is designed to engage children and families in the greater Washington DC area in Jewish life. Federation has crafted a deliberate Jewish educational agenda that utilizes several crucial pillars of Jewish education. The Federation acknowledges that our network of Jewish identity initiatives is complete with Jewish overnight camp as an educational tool, and that only a network of Jewish identity strategies will ensure a vibrant future for our community. This investment in camping rounds out our “product line,” ensuring that federation maximizes all avenues to fully meet its mission.
One Happy Camper (OHC) Incentive Grants
Scholarship
26 Foundation for Jewish Camp
Self-funding Partner
North America
PJ Goes to Camp Partner Since 2010 Total Grants: 858
+ Western Massachusetts Campership The Grinspoon Institute for Jewish Philanthropy has been providing mentoring services to assist camps in board development, strategic planning, and fundraising. In addition we support technology for the camps that help them sustain donors. Over the past seven years, our matching grant programs provided over $10 million in incentive matching grants, prompting camps to raise over $60 million in funds. Donor
gift details
The Harold Grinspoon Foundation PJ Goes to Camp
OHC
Day School Camper Incentive Grants
Professional Development and other Support
onehappycamper.org 27
Co-Founders and Co-Chairs of the Board of Trustees Elisa Spungen Bildner and Robert Bildner
Chief Executive Officer Jeremy J. Fingerman
Board of Trustees Robert M. Beren The Bildner Family Samuel Bronfman Foundation The Gottesman Fund Harold Grinspoon Foundation The Neubauer Family Foundation Jane and Daniel Och Family Foundation Stacy Schusterman and Steven Dow Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life Abigail and Leslie Wexner
Board of Directors Lee D. Weiss, Chair Jules Eisen Michael Feinman Ab Flatt Archie Gottesman Arnie Harris Keith Klein Lois Kohn-Claar Neil Kuttner Jay Lefkowitz Gerry Maldoff Marcia Weiner Mankoff Julie Beren Platt Rodger Popkin Jaynie Schultz Jodi Schwartz Henry Skier David Solomon Skip Vichness Peter J. Weidhorn Arnee Winshall
Staff Joelle Asaro Berman Alyia Bettman Alina Bitel Allison Cohen Seth Cohen Michele Friedman Carol Ann Fuoco Rebecca Kahn Abby Knopp Amy Kruglak Rebecca Leibowitz
28 Foundation for Jewish Camp
Melissa Waksman Levine Scott McGrath Rachel Meir Fani Magnus Monson Rabbi Avi Katz Orlow Laurie Stone Star Thurston Valentina Tsvayner Sarah Weiss Jillian Weinstein Alicia Zimbalist
“
Leah told me that for the first time she truly realized the happiness in being Jewish. Sort of a shocker for a parent to hear! Most of her young life has been, yes, you have to go to synagogue, yes, you have to go to Hebrew school, yes, you have to build the sukkah, no, you can’t go because it’s Shabbat. At camp this year she saw the beauty of Shabbat and of being Jewish. She is now preparing to start a USY Indiana Chapter. There was a spark at camp that has started a fire in Indiana.
”
–One Happy Camper Parent, Bloomington, IN
To date, the Foundation for Jewish Camp partners with 34 communities* across North America, in addition to the PJ Library, four national camp movements and over 30 camps to offer the One Happy Camper program. *list as of January 23, 2012
Foundation for Jewish Camp 15 West 36th Street, 13th Floor New York, NY 10018 tel 646-278-4546 fax 646-278-4501 www.jewishcamp.org