Over the past year Central New Jersey has completed a dynamic Strategic Planning Process which examined the following three areas in greater detail:  Planning, Allocations and Priority Setting, Role and Image and Financial Resource Development.  As a result we learned that:

--While we are energetic and effective, as an organization, many in the community are unaware of the full scope of people helped and services offered by Federation.

--Due to the changing philanthropic climate and the strong competition for dollars, donors first and foremost want to understand and be able to measure the impact of their gift.

--At the forefront is our biggest challenge and greatest opportunity which is strengthening the sense of community identity and communicating this to people who so strongly desire to connect.

Developing community identity will include a stronger focus on Jewish education both formal and informal.  Of particular importance, is the role of our Synagogue/Temple afternoon Hebrew Schools.  

For the year 2008 – 09, our local allocations will be restored to the levels of two years ago, by shifting $236,000 from the Israel/Overseas allocations to local needs.  

The annual campaign has a pivotal role in our ability to provide service delivery. However, we will look at total financial resource, which takes into account dollars raised from all income streams, such as endowments, supplemental, corporate, and designated giving.  Israel/Overseas will receive $1 million from supplemental gifts and $2 million in allocations, which will bring the Israel/Overseas package to $3 million.

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