Boston, MA (PRWEB) May 15, 2015
PEJE, the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education, has announced that its groundbreaking endowment-building program, Generations, has enabled selected schools to raise a record $57 million in endowment funds for Jewish day schools across North America.
Funded in part by The AVI CHAI Foundation, the initial pilot phase of Generations included 30 schools in Los Angeles, Baltimore, New York, and Boston.
“PEJE is excited to partner with Jewish day schools to support long-term sustainability. Endowment building is one answer to the affordability puzzle and ensures that future communities will benefit from a vibrant Jewish day school education,” said Jill Goldenberg, Executive Director of PEJE.
Generations launched in 2011 with the express goal of inculcating endowment into a school’s strategic development plan. Schools selected for the program have raised a mix of outright gifts and legacy gifts.
Following its highly successful pilot, PEJE has evolved the program into Generations National. The first cohort launched this past winter, and a new cohort will launch in the fall of 2015. Applications are now being accepted for this last cohort of schools.
“Participation in the Generations program has significantly increased our comfort level with integrating endowment and legacy requests as part of our comprehensive conversations with donors. Additionally, the program has helped us to raise the visibility of our endowment as a permanent source of funding for financial aid and has inspired us to speak to many more members of our school community about the importance of testamentary giving,” said Mandi Miller, Director of Development at Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School, Baltimore.
About PEJE:
Founded 17 years ago, the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education (PEJE) believes that day schools are essential for fostering an engaged Jewish people for an enduring Jewish future. To flourish, Jewish day schools must be destinations of choice for students, families, and philanthropic investment. http://www.peje.org