They provide supportive and human services, philanthropy, financial grants to refugees around the world, humanitarian and disaster relief, host leadership conferences and fellowship opportunities for women and youth, charitable drives, help those in need navigate comprehensive resources, and provide outreach to at-risk Jewish populations in 70 countries worldwide, and more.
All federations in North America operate an annual central campaign, then allocate the proceeds to affiliated local agencies.
The Jewish federations inspired the 1913 formation of the forerunner of the United Way, the community chest in Cleveland, Ohio.
[2] Until the 1960s with the start of Medicaid and Medicare, federations allocated large portions of the campaign funds to Jewish hospitals.
[2] The federations typically have elected boards or trustees that are accountable to the community, paid staff, and volunteer leadership.
[2]70-71 Depending on local preferences, the JCRC may be volunteer or professionally-staffed, and may have varying degrees of structural separateness from the federation itself.
Between 30 and 50 percent of Jewish households in the United States typically contribute to their local federation.
[2] A significant feature of the annual federation campaign is "Super Sunday", a day designated for community-wide phone banking, seeking contributions from members of the community.
[10] Many of the local federations hold annual fundraising drives that are expected to raise most of the next year's budgeting for many community programs.
Decisions made by the local federations can have a great impact on the community,[2] including the opening or closing of programs, staff hirings and firings, and land purchases and sales.