Israel Crisis Relief Fundraising Toolkit
Federation is deeply grateful to the thousands of community members who continue to generously support our Israel Crisis Relief Fund. These donations are vital to providing essential aid to those in need.
Many have also asked how to support the fundraising efforts. The tools below can help as you host a fundraiser, promote the Fund on social media or by email, or spread the word in other ways.
Thank you for your leadership in this crucial moment.
Questions? Contact us at info@shalomdc.org.
Engage your networks to support the relief efforts
Launch a Peer-To-Peer Online Fundraiser
Consider engaging your networks with a more personal request to give. When you create a peer-to-peer fundraiser in support of the Israel Crisis Relief Fund, you’ll receive a personalized link to share with your networks by email, text, and social media, and you can customize your messaging with your own case for giving.
+ Sample email to send to your networks
NAME,
As we watch the war in Israel unfold with horror and sadness, I know many of us are looking to contribute to the relief efforts in our own ways. I invite you to join me in supporting The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s Israel Crisis Relief Fund.
This moment is deeply personal for our community. Our friends and family in Israel need our help right now, and of the many nonprofits doing this important work, Federation is the best suited to swiftly getting the resources where they need to go.
[Why supporting Israel in this moment is important to you]
Donate now: [insert link to your P2P fund]
100% of your donation will directly benefit those in Israel through Federation’s Israel Crisis Relief Fund, which is immediately deploying resources where they are most needed. Organizations supported by this fund include United Hatzalah, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Israel Trauma Coalition, and others working to care for those most in need.
Your solidarity with Israel is greatly appreciated, and I/we thank you for joining me/us in supporting Israel during this critical time.
Warmly,
[Fundraiser Name(s)]
+ Sample thank you email to donors of your fund
Dear [name],
Thank you for your generous contribution to Federation’s Israel Crisis Relief Fund and for supporting Israel in this critical moment.
PERSONALIZE YOUR MESSAGE [As Israelis stand strong against this deluge of terror and violence, we will support them however we can.]
Your donation will be distributed swiftly to those in need through Federation and their partners on the ground. Thank you for your generosity and support as we help those in need.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Host a Fundraising Event
In-person gatherings where a passionate host brings their friends, family, and personal networks together in support of Israel are an extraordinarily powerful experience and effective fundraising effort. If you’re ready to take on this leadership role, we have put together a set of materials to help you every step of the way. Our Federation team is here to support you and can provide a speaker and additional content. Please contact Shira Pomerantz at [email protected] to share your event date and coordinate efforts.
Here’s how:
+ Sample email invitation
Friends,
With a heavy heart and strong desire to support those in need in Israel, I/we invite you to join me/us on [date] to learn about the ongoing crisis and pool our resources to help.
[If applicable] I/We will learn from experts working directly to address the crisis: [names and titles]
I/We understand the challenges of being far away and not knowing how to help, so let’s come together to make a meaningful impact.
[Host Name(s)] invite you to Stand with Israel
[DATE | Time]
[City, State]
RSVP Here
RSVP by [date]
Address provided upon positive RSVP.
100% of your donation made before, during, and following our gathering will directly benefit those in Israel through The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s Israel Crisis Relief Fund, which is immediately deploying resources where they are most needed. Organizations supported by this fund include United Hatzalah, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Israel Trauma Coalition, and others working to care for those most in need.
Your solidarity with Israel is greatly appreciated, and I/we thank you for your support during this critical time. We look forward to seeing you soon for this important conversation.
Warmly,
[Host Name(s)]
Track RSVPs and invite donations before, during, and after your event
Connect with Federation for talking points and/or to bring in a Federation speaker
See below for shareable information and resources
Would you like to be able to track the gifts to your personal fundraiser? Contact Shira Pomerantz at [email protected] for a unique QR code.
+ Sample post-event thank you email to donors of your fund
Dear [name],
Thank you for joining us as we came together in support of Israel.
PERSONALIZE YOUR MESSAGE [As Israelis stand strong against this deluge of terror and violence, we will support them however we can.]
If you have not already made a donation, or would like to contribute more, I invite you to join me in supporting The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s Israel Crisis Relief Fund.
Donate now: [insert donation link]
Your donation will be distributed swiftly to those in need through Federation’s partners on the ground.
Thank you for your generosity and continued support of The Jewish Federation and Israel and Israelis as we work together to help those in need.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Resources & Information on Federation’s Israel Crisis Relief Efforts
Looking for more ways to spread the word? Use some or all of the tools below, including how Federation is deploying critical funds, graphics for email and social media, and more, to enhance your fundraising efforts.
+ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I donate to Federation’s Israel Crisis Relief Fund?
- Online at shalomdc.org/israel-at-war-2023
- Through your Jewish Community Foundation Donor Advised Fund to The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington (EIN: 53-0212445).
- By check to The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, 6101 Executive Blvd, Suite 100, North Bethesda, Maryland 20852. Include “Israel Crisis Relief Fund” in your memo line.
- As a collective by starting a peer-to-peer fundraiser. Share your fundraiser by email, text, and social media to encourage your networks to support the relief efforts.
- We also encourage you to take a leadership role in supporting the fundraising efforts. Explore our fundraising toolkit for help as you host a fundraiser, promote the Fund on social media or by email, or spread the word in other ways. For more details or questions on supporting the fundraising efforts, contact [email protected].
Why give through The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington?
We know there are many worthy causes and organizations who are addressing the crisis in Israel today – and we encourage donations to your well-vetted charities and NGO’s. 100% of your donation to Federation will be used towards Israel crisis relief. We have long-standing relationships with large organizations as well as smaller organizations with a targeted focus. We are updating our list on an ongoing basis. All are well vetted and meet our standards of fiscal responsibility. We are drawing on all established connections to direct the dollars where we know they will be used towards priority areas.
Where is the money going?
See the list of where the dollars are going to date. We have processes in place to continue to make ongoing allocation decisions on a weekly basis so we can continue to provide dollars where they are most needed. Visit this site and subscribe to our mailing list for continuous updates.
Who is making the decisions about these funds?
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s allocations/grant decisions are always made by committees of lay and professional leaders. To distribute the Israel Crisis Relief Fund dollars most strategically, we have convened a new temporary Israel Crisis Relief Allocations Subcommittee, chaired by Federation Vice President for Strategic Planning & Allocations – Israel and Overseas, Michael Friedman, and Executive Committee member, Johanna Chanin. This subcommittee is making recommendations to be approved by Federation’s Executive Committee and/or the Board of Directors.
How is Federation deciding where to spend the dollars raised?
Our local Team and Israel Crisis Relief Allocations Subcommittee work closely with Federation’s Israel Office, whose team is in direct and continuous contact with our network of organizations in Israel to keep abreast on the evolving needs on the ground. We are also in close touch with state-side partners, such as The Jewish Federations of North America, Jewish Funders Network, and others as sources for pertinent information on the evolving needs. For more details or questions on where dollars are spent, contact [email protected].
How quickly will my donation be used?
On 10/16, one week after the war began, we sent an initial $2 million in grants from the Israel Crisis Relief Fund to provide emergency medical care through several regional hospitals, United Hatzalah, and Magen David Adom; and to support evacuation efforts, trauma response through Israel Trauma Coalition, and The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Fund for Victims of Terror, among others. We have emergency processes in place to continue to make grants on a weekly basis or as needed.
+ Investments & Allocations
– Download the allocations PDF and feel free to share this electronically or print out for an in-person event.
+ Download the printable Songs & Prayers Booklet – many have found this to be a meaningful resource to use during a fundraising event.
+ Sample fundraising email
“I have no idea what will happen now. How do we restore our lives, the kibbutz? We will have to start all over to support the children, the women, and the older residents who experienced a second Holocaust in their lives. And we will need all of the Jewish people’s help to do this.”
–Rami Bar-Gil, October 7th terror attack survivor
Donors to The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s Israel Crisis Relief Fund are helping Israelis like Rami and his family recover. But even as we respond, the needs in Israel are growing at an unprecedented rate.
We must continue and intensify our support.
Will you join me in helping to support Israel and Israelis in need today?
Donate now: [insert donation link]
Israel and Israelis are in critical need. Join me to provide:
– Emergency assistance, including food, financial aid, and trauma counseling.
– Medical equipment to treat the wounded.
– Funds to relocate children and families.
– Care for evacuees in shelters.
…and much more.
With your help, we can increase our community’s support for those most in need.