By Jessica Goldfarb

When people hear that Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte( JFGC) allocates Annual Campaign funds to more than 70 agencies, it can sound straightforward – money raised, money distributed. In reality, allocations is one of the most thoughtful, values-driven processes JFGC undertakes, and one of the ways it remains both steady and responsive to the evolving needs of Jewish life.

Allocations is the process through which JFGC, with the guidance of a community-led Allocations Committee, distributes the funds raised through the Annual Campaign to Jewish agencies serving greater Charlotte, Israel, and other communities overseas. The process is designed to balance continuity with change, ensuring that core institutions remain strong while the community stays responsive to evolving needs.

“ Allocations is one of the key ways that JFGC performs its function of building community and making Jewish life accessible to everyone,” said Lisa Garfinkle, Senior Director of Strategy and Operations.

Rather than funding individual programs, Federation provides unrestricted operating support to its agencies. As JFGC CEO Adam Kolett explains,“ Federation’ s support reflects trust, grounded in a careful, community-led allocations process. When we fund an agency, we’ re affirming confidence in its leadership,

NONPROFIT ORG U. S. POSTAGE PAID CHARLOTTE NC PERMIT # 1208 CHARLOTTE, NC its mission, and its impact. Unrestricted support gives organizations the stability and flexibility to remain strong and responsive over time.”

The allocations process balances care with constraint. Every eligible Jewish organization in the greater Charlotte area may apply through a formal process that takes place every two years. Agencies submit funding requests outlining their needs and priorities, but financial realities mean that JFGC cannot fully fund every request. The committee’ s role is to balance those requests through two essential lenses: the needs of the community today, and JFGC’ s responsibility to steward a healthy, connected Jewish ecosystem over time. That includes strengthening Jewish identity and belonging, deepening connection to Israel and global Jewry, and ensuring the long-term vitality of the institutions that sustain Jewish life.

The responsibility for making these decisions rests with Federation’ s Allocations Committee, a group that reflects the diversity of Jewish Charlotte.“ Our allocations committee is a lay-led representative body of community members from throughout greater Charlotte at different stages of life and involvement,” Kolett says. Committee members bring perspectives shaped by differences in age, background, geography, levels of Jewish observance, and length of time in the community. Some are longtime

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communal leaders and others are newer voices offering fresh insight. Together, they represent the breadth of experiences that make up Jewish life in Charlotte.

That diversity is central to how allocations decisions are made. The allocations process is not driven by a single viewpoint or agenda, but by discussion, debate, and shared responsibility. These volunteers review funding requests, consult with agencies, and are charged with stewarding the dollars entrusted to JFGC by its donors.

Those decisions are rarely simple.“ It’ s an intensive process. Lay leaders devote a lot of time and take it very seriously,” says Garfinkle. Committee members

By Jessica Goldfarb

Belonging in a community is rarely marked by a single moment. More often, it is something people notice over time: a familiar face at an event, an extended invitation, a growing sense that there is space for them here. Belonging begins when Jewish life feels accessible. At Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte( JFGC), we work to support experiences that meet people where they are, recognizing that there is no single pathway into building a community.

Some people connect through learning, others through shared interests, social experiences, service, or cultural expression. JF- GC’ s role is not to define which doorway someone should enter through, but to ensure that many doors exist, and that they remain open.

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31.0 %

LOCAL BENEFICIARY AGENCIES

35.4 % COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

16.4 % OVERSEAS

must consider long-term institutional stability and emerging needs, while both honoring the role of core community organizations and remaining open to change.“ You’ ll find that what it takes to support vibrant Jewish life in Charlotte, Israel and overseas changes from time to time,” Kolett notes.“ The allocations process has to be open to those changes while still providing enough core support for institutions that are vital for Jewish life to maintain their stability.” This balance is key to how Federation remains both responsive and enduring.

While allocations and the Annual Campaign represent a significant part of JFGC’ s work,

That openness is felt in the rhythm of everyday community life. It shows up in opportunities to gather casually, such as at a Charlotte FC soccer game, as they are only part of the picture. JFGC also serves as a convener, connector, and amplifier for Jewish life in Charlotte.

Support extends beyond dollars, through cosponsoring community programs, aligning agencies around shared priorities, advocating on issues that affect Jewish life, and elevating stories through platforms like The Charlotte Jewish News.

These efforts strengthen relationships across the community and help agencies thrive in ways that cannot always be measured in funding alone.

Behind every allocation decision is a larger purpose: ensuring that Jewish life in Charlotte is vibrant, resilient, and accessible – today and for generations to come. The allocations process is not just about distributing funds; it is about collective responsibility, trust, and a shared commitment to sustaining a strong Jewish future.

PJ Library“ Moms Night Out” event well as meaningfully in spaces like Unpacking Israel: Masterclass Series events Over time,

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