UJA-Federation of New York Provides New Round of Emergency Funding For COVID Relief in New York and Israel
NEW YORK CITY (December 15, 2020) — In response to the enduring and urgent needs related to Covid-19, UJA-Federation of New York today announced more than $11 million in emergency grants and interest-free loans from its endowment to support local and international communities. This latest round of emergency funding by UJA will provide financial relief to New York’s Jewish community centers (JCCs) and partner organizations in Israel so they can continue to offer critical services to their communities. With today’s added funding, UJA to date has allocated $64 million for Covid relief since March 2020, above and beyond its more than $130 million in annual budgeted allocations.
“This new emergency funding is targeted at strengthening essential community resources in New York and Israel for those who need it most,” said Eric S. Goldstein, CEO, UJA-Federation of New York. “In New York, JCCs are a beacon of light at this dark time for tens of thousands of New Yorkers who rely on their programs and services. And in Israel, these grants will help the most vulnerable Israelis with basic needs.”
The funds are allocated as follows:
New York Jewish Community Centers: $8.15 million
As the pandemic continues, New York’s Jewish community centers remain financially vulnerable. $8.15 million will be allocated for the 22 JCCs in UJA’s network in a combination of grants and interest-free loans. The funds will ensure that New York’s JCCs can continue to operate and provide essential services and resources for those most in need, as well as help sustain Jewish life in our community.
Israel: $3.5 million for various human service NGOs
In Israel, UJA will award grants to several organizations that support the most at-risk Israelis, including children, the newly poor, and struggling small businesses. In addition, the grants will help strengthen Israel’s ability to respond to Covid-related challenges with enhanced leadership and volunteer networks and technological innovations.
In addition to today’s financial support, UJA’s Covid relief most recently includes a multimillion-dollar investment in seven locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, and Westchester as part of an anti-poverty initiative. The facilities, or “Hubs,” provide essential health and human services for tens of thousands of struggling New Yorkers, including workplace development and job training, mental health services, financial and legal counseling, and food support and services, among others. UJA provided $10M to build a flagship Hub in Queens that opened in October 2020.
About UJA-Federation of New York
Working with a network of hundreds of nonprofits, UJA extends its reach from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching the lives of 4.5 million people each year. To date, UJA has allocated $64 million to help respond to the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Aid has supported New Yorkers facing food insecurity, UJA partner organizations providing essential health and human services to New Yorkers, Jewish Community Centers, low-income students, single parents, and ensuring dignified Jewish burials. For more information, please visit www.ujafedny.org.