4 minute read
The 2025 season begins with many to thank
By Rosalee Bogo, 2025 Annual Community Campaign Chair
Season has started, and the 2025 Annual Community Campaign is off to a great start! The success of the campaign determines what needs we will be able to support in the coming year.
President and CEO of Security Community Network Michael Masters spoke at our kickoff event on Dec. 11. Providing security is one of the greatest needs all over the world, and Jewish Federation of Greater Naples has secured SCN to cover all the Jewish institutions in our community. We now have an SCN representative in our area to help ensure safety for all — and your Jewish Federation of Greater Naples dollars cover the costs.
A special thank you to the donors who have stepped forward to be patrons of all our fundraising events this season. With their generosity, the funds donated will defer some of the costs that we incur for our events such as speakers, travel and miscellaneous expenses. This ensures that more of the funds raised will be accessible to our allocations committee for disbursements to our beneficiaries. These donors gathered for a special dinner with Mr. Masters before the kickoff.
Two big events were held in January to express our appreciation to our community members who make our success possible. The Major Donors and Lion of Judah Appreciation Event was held on Jan. 8. This generous group produces 70% of our annual dollars raised and we are very grateful to them for taking a leadership role in our Greater Naples community. This elegant dinner was held at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center where the keynote speaker, David Heller, Jewish Federation of North America National Campaign Chair, addressed the large crowd.
Earlier that same day, our inaugural reception was held at the Naples Hilton for our Silver Circle members. This is a group of individuals who have supported Jewish Federation wherever they have lived for 25 years — they are the backbone of the longstanding success of Federations everywhere, and we are proud to recognize and thank them here in our community. Just under 50 individuals attended the reception and had personal time with Mr. Heller and our leadership.
If you attended the kickoff event, you were given our Impact Report and Sefer Todot. This report was also mailed to all the members within JFGN’s database. If you haven’t received yours, please ask for one the next time you are in the building. This report offers transparency regarding funds received and funds spent in the 2024 fiscal year. We recognize that this information is of the upmost importance to you as a donor, as it lists the local programs and beneficiary agencies and the funds allocated nationally, overseas and in Israel. The last section in the report is a book of thanks to you, the donors who helped us achieve our goals in 2024.
We are proud to be recognized as a four-star charity by Charity Navigator, their highest rating. When you walk through the entrance lobby at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, please take note of the campaign thermometer. If you have made your pledge, feel pride in getting us to this number, and if your pledge has not come in, please do so and help us reach our goal. With your generosity, we can go above it.
