As the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba [JFM] marks its 60th anniversary, it's time to look at how successful it has been and its important role in our community.

At the JFM's 50th Anniversary (when its asset base marked $100 million and it distributed 4 million in grants year), Joe Wilder, who was then the President of the JFM said something that I have not forgotten. He said JFM functions as the "ultimate backstop" for the Jewish community.  He said The Jewish Federation, of course, bears the primary responsibility for the funding of our communal institutions and continuous to do a tremendous job in their campaign, However if the Jewish community does not grow appreciably and as the community ages,  Federation 's campaign "in the best of hands can not be expected to meet all of the ever increasing needs of the community", which is why the role of the Jewish Foundation in  meeting the needs of  the Jewish community can not be underestimated.

Dan Blankstein-whose father Morely Blankstein was one of the founders of the JFM in 1964 as was his grandfather Max Rady- begins his two year term as Chair of the Board of the JFM. Dan has volunteered with the JFM since 2013, serving on the Investment Committee, and on the Audit and Finance, Nominating, and Governance committees. In 2017, Dan was elected to the Board of Directors and has assumed the roles of both Treasurer and, most recently, Vice-Chair.

A short synopsis of the JFM's history is that in 1964, Sam Werier, Abe Werier and Joseph Halprin united community leaders to sign on to their vision of a community endowment, designed to keep the contributed capital untouched and solely dedicated to investments. My grandfather Malik David Spivak, a lawyer, was one of those 119 donors who made up the JFM, each making an initial pledge of at least $100. Halpern and the Werrier brothers donated a 294 acre parcel near Middlechurch, north of Winnipeg, and when the land was sold in 2018 for $905,000,  it went to the Halprin-Werier Founders' Fund at the JFM.

The fund grew and grew. In 2000, Izzy Asper made twin donations which were breathtaking. He donated  $10 million to the JFM and $10 million to the Winnipeg Foundation . At the time, these were the two largest donations ever by an individual in the city.

As reported in the JFM's 2023 Annual Report, the endowment stood at $161 million on Dec 31, 2023, and the JFM distributed $6.98 million in grants. This amount of $161 million reflects "the generosity of our donors and their gifts and the return on the investment of the endowment," says John Diamond the CEO of the JFM. When asked if the JFM has any specific goals regarding the future asset base of the JFM, Diamond responded, "We do not “grow for growth’s sake.” We continue to see rising needs in both the Jewish and non-Jewish charities. The JFM is dedicated to continued growth to meet those needs and foster strength in the organizations that make our community thrive." 

In 2023 the Foundation received $5.8 million in contributions. The  $161 million in assets under its management is an increase of $13.5 million from 2022.
A significant part of the growth in the Foundation’s assets was due to its investment portfolio demonstrating growth of 12.3% in 2023 (net of fees).

In 2023, the JFM gave almost $7 million in grants of which $5,532,147 were in the form of designated grants, while $1,453,215 were decided by the Foundation’s Granting Committees. (Of the designated fund recipients the largest grants given were: Combined Jewish Appeal – $812,815
Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre – $600,714Jewish Federation of Winnipeg – $560,929,Jewish Child & Family Service – $509,286,Gray Academy of Jewish Education – $455,638,Asper Jewish Community Campus – $454,082,Jewish National Fund – $363,688,Rady JCC – $143,477
Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada – $129,420).

In terms of priorities in the near future and going forward, Diamond says, The JFM's priorities are threefold. The JFM wants to "Grow the resources available for Community Impact Grants so we are able to react to and fulfil community needs."  It seeks to "Ensure our Jewish Community non-profits have strong Organizational Endowment Funds, which provide them with a reliable yearly income source." And “Engage and educate new and prospective donors who may not be familiar with the Foundation and its mission."

In his report in the JFM 2023Annual Report, Chief Financial Officer Ian Barnes wrote that “the Foundation is committed to increasing its annual distribution rate to 5.0% over the next few years (currently 4.4%). This will put more dollars into the community sooner rather than later, which is a priority for the Board."

When asked about what trends in philanthropy the JFM has noticed, Diamond answers that "The generosity of the Winnipeg Jewish Community continues to outpace its size. The strength of the JFM endowment is a testament to our donor's interest in our community's and province's long-term health and sustainability."

The JFM has donors of all ages. As Diamond notes "We offer many opportunities for all demographics to get involved, including Bar/Bat Mitzvah funds and monthly giving options. We encourage people of all ages to reach out and find all the ways we can help them achieve their goals."

In 2023, the Foundation saw 66 new funds opened, and awarded scholarships to 63 students.

As of April 1, 2024, the JFM began MATCHING ALL NEW GIFTS made by individuals up to $18,000. This program will last until the matching million has all been used. Both existing funds AND new funds opened in 2024 will be eligible for the match while funds last. Diamond has indicated that "Less than half of the Million Dollar Match funds remain. We are once again humbled by the generosity of our friends and neighbours and the outpouring of support the Million Dollar Match initiative has already received. That said, we encourage everyone who would like to take advantage of this opportunity to do so soon!"

Gordon Pullan-- who since being elected to the JFM Board in 1979 has served as a member, President, or governor, for forty-five years-- wrote about the importance of the  JFM. In his Endowment book of Life story in 1998.His words resonate today:

"The best preparation for the future,

is the present well seen to,

and the last duty done."

It was a Scottish novelist who made that statement almost 100 years ago.

As I think about our situation in the Jewish community in the late summer of 1998, I realize what a phenomenal effort the generation preceding mine, and my generation, have invested in "the future". The generation prior to mine had the goal of ensuring that the Jews of the Diaspora survive as a people.

The concern of my generation is one of continuity. My thinking is that the next generation will have the same concern and goal as we today have. The past two generations have co cord this message for whoever may look at it - in "the future".

As Editor of the Winnipeg Jewish Review who like the JFM was born in 1964, and as the descendant of a founder, I wish the JFM the very best on its 60th Anniversary. May it continue to go from strength to strength.  ncentrated on building a foundation consisting of the organizations and facilities to meet the needs not only of today but also of the tomorrows. In effect, what has been provided are the tools. How they are used will depend upon those who will follow.

Every generation has the concern that the next one will not have the same dedication and make the same efforts, but somehow there are those who follow who are willing to pick up where those who preceded have left off and carry on doing what is necessary to meet the challenges and needs of the day.

And so, in this year, 1998 (5758) I record this message for whoever may look at it - in "the future".

As Editor of the Winnipeg Jewish Review who like the JFM was born in 1964, and as the descendant of a founder, I wish the JFM the very best on its 60th Anniversary. May it continue to go from strength to strength.