Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley

What Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley does

Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, that serves the Jewish community across the Lehigh Valley's three principal cities: Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. The Federation's functional mandate is community coordination and philanthropic aggregation: it raises funds through an Annual Campaign, mobilizes Emergency Campaigns in response to crises affecting Jewish communities locally and in Israel, and deploys those resources to a portfolio of beneficiary programs including community education, the Jewish Day School, the Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Family Service, and a network of partner congregations and agencies.

The Federation's core product surface is programmatic: community education, social services, cultural events, and diaspora engagement — most visibly through the Partnership2Gether (P2G) initiative that links the Lehigh Valley to Karmiel, Israel. Its underlying technology is a conventional JFedWeb content, event, and donation platform operated by CorpVision, used to publish programming information, accept online gifts, and manage event registration. There is no proprietary technology, no AI/ML capability, and no data product on offer; the platform is a standard SaaS deployment shared with peer Federations.

The Federation's business model is philanthropic rather than commercial. Revenue is generated through community fundraising — primarily the Annual Campaign, Emergency Campaigns tied to specific events (such as the post-October 7 Israel relief effort), and targeted giving for security, education, and Israel programming. Funds are redistributed to beneficiary agencies and to overseas partners. The customer base consists of Jewish households, donors, partner agencies, and program participants across the Lehigh Valley. The Federation does not sell to enterprise customers and does not operate a pricing model; its economics are defined by Annual Campaign performance, episodic emergency giving, and the structural stability of its donor base.

Name

Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley

Legal name

Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley

Website

https://jewishlehighvalley.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Allentown, PA that coordinates fundraising, community education, social services, and Israel partnership programming for roughly 5,000+ Jewish households across Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Philanthropy and Jewish Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAKAG

Federated Giving Organizations (e.g., United Way-type)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYBPAGAKAE

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYBPAGAHAD

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

Keywords

• Community philanthropy
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Jewish community services
• Planned giving programs
• Social service coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Allentown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs: Primary annual fundraising campaign soliciting donations from community members to support local, Israeli, and global Jewish charitable causes. Funds are distributed through allocations process to community organizations.
2. Emergency Campaigns: Time-limited fundraising campaigns for crisis situations, such as Operation Swords of Iron (Israel emergency), Operation Rising Lion, and Venezuela earthquake relief. 100% of donations go to relief efforts.
3. Planned Giving and Endowment: Legacy giving programs including LIFE & LEGACY program, endowment fund donations, and planned giving through the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation. Allows donors to leave charitable bequests.
4. Tribute Cards & Trees: Purchase of commemorative cards and trees in honor or memory of individuals, generating charitable donations.
5. EITC Program: Educational Improvement Tax Credit program allowing businesses to make donations in exchange for state tax credits.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as the central fundraising and coordinating body for the Jewish community across Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, PA. It solicits charitable donations through its Annual Campaign, emergency campaigns, planned giving, and EITC programs, and allocates the funds to local Jewish agencies, Israel-related initiatives, and global Jewish humanitarian causes. It also delivers or coordinates community programs including PJ Library, Partnership2Gether, HAKOL newspaper, security training, social services, and youth/adult engagement divisions.

Product overview

The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating as a central coordinating body for the Jewish community across Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, PA. Rather than a single product, the Federation functions as an umbrella organization managing a portfolio of community programs and services including publications (HAKOL newspaper, Shalom Lehigh Valley guide), youth programming (PJ Library, youth groups, camps), philanthropy initiatives (Annual Campaign, LIFE & LEGACY, Emergency Campaigns), Israel engagement (Partnership2Gether, Missions), social services (Jewish Family Service), educational institutions (Jewish Day School, JCC Early Childhood Education), and community resources (Holocaust Resource Center, Community Directory, Kashrut Commission). The Federation also funds and supports affiliated organizations including the Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley and the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation, operating from its headquarters at 702 N. 22nd St., Allentown, PA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs Primary annual fundraising campaign soliciting donations from community members to support local, Israeli, and global Jewish charitable causes; funds are distributed through the allocations process to community organizations.
• Operation Swords of Iron Israel Emergency Campaign Emergency fundraising campaign in partnership with Jewish Federations of North America supporting Israeli victims of terror, with 100% of donations going to relief efforts; raised over $860 million nationally with $700 million allocated.
• Emergency Campaign Operation Rising Lion Emergency campaign addressing critical needs in Israel, complementing the Operation Swords of Iron Israel Emergency Campaign.
• Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation (Endowment and Planned Giving) Endowment fund of the Jewish community serving as the community foundation, managing donor-directed charitable gifts, planned giving vehicles, and the LIFE & LEGACY program that encourages legacy giving through wills, trusts, retirement accounts, or life insurance.
• LIFE & LEGACY Endowment program encouraging legacy giving through wills, trusts, retirement accounts, or life insurance to support the Jewish community's future.
• Tribute Cards & Trees Commemorative cards and trees purchased in honor or memory of individuals, generating charitable donations to the Federation.
• EITC Program (Educational Improvement Tax Credit) Educational Improvement Tax Credit program allowing Pennsylvania businesses to make donations in exchange for state tax credits, supporting Federation scholarship and educational programs.
• HAKOL Newspaper The only Jewish newspaper in the Lehigh Valley, published 11 times a year by the Jewish Federation, covering community news, events, and Jewish perspectives.
• Shalom Lehigh Valley Guide Biennial guide to all things Jewish in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, provided free to new residents and community members.
• PJ Library A program that sends free Jewish children's books to families with kids ages 6 months through 8 years old monthly, made possible through partnership with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, Jewish Federation, JCC, and Jewish Day School; serves 300+ children monthly.
• Partnership2Gether (with Yoav Region, Israel) Program connecting the Lehigh Valley community with Israeli communities (Yoav region) for cultural exchange, missions, travel, and community shaliach engagement.
• March of the Living Mission Annual mission to Poland and Israel for Holocaust education and remembrance, with July info sessions and 2027 mission planned.
• Women's Philanthropy Philanthropy division engaging women in Jewish charitable giving, including the Dignity Grows and Pomegranate Pin Program initiatives.
• NextGen Young adult division providing engagement opportunities and leadership development for next-generation Jewish community members.
• Maimonides Society Society for healthcare professionals offering networking, education, and philanthropy opportunities, including the Maimonides Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment.
• Community Relations Council (CRC) Council addressing Jewish community concerns, publishing Jewish News & Views, facilitating advocacy, and providing incident reporting mechanisms.
• Power of One Educational initiative providing resources about Israeli conflict, antisemitism, mental well-being, and materials for K-12 parents and campus audiences.
• Security Training (via SCN) Security training programs including Countering Active Threat Training, Stop the Bleed Training, and Guardian Training, provided through partnership with the Secure Community Network.
• Jewish Family Service (JFS) Social services including community food pantry, older adult case management, counseling, and accessibility and inclusion programs for Lehigh Valley residents.
• Jewish Community Center (JCC) of the Lehigh Valley Community center serving nearly 2,000 members with early childhood education, afterschool programs (JLounge), youth theater (Stagemakers), summer camps, fitness center, swim programs, and cultural events.
• JCC Early Childhood Education Licensed preschool and kindergarten programs for children ages 8 weeks to 5 years, including Mazel Tots, infant through pre-K classes, and full-day kindergarten with music, gym, and swim.
• Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley Community school for pre-K through grade 8 offering dual-curriculum education combining general studies with Jewish education and Israeli focus, featuring 4:1 student-teacher ratio.
• Lehigh Valley Kashrut Commission Kashruth supervision committee providing certification for kosher establishments and the Jewish Community Center, operating under the Hebrew Family League.
• Holocaust Resource Center Resource center offering Holocaust education, including the Holocaust Legacy Exhibit, serving the Jewish community and broader public.
• Scholarships & Grants Financial assistance programs for students and community members provided through the Federation's funding initiatives.
• Community Directory Comprehensive directory of Jewish organizations in the Lehigh Valley including synagogues, youth groups, educational institutions, service organizations, and community resources.

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) / United Israel AppealcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Federation is part of the Jewish Federation movement, the leading Jewish philanthropy in North America. Through JFNA, the Federation can advocate nationally and quickly mobilize resources in times of crisis, such as the Israel Emergency Campaign (Operation Swords of Iron) which raised over $860 million.
• Jewish Community Centers Association of North AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJCC Association organizes solidarity missions to Israel. The Lehigh Valley JCC participates in these programs, with community members joining trips to Israel to show support and bear witness to events.
• Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe JCC operates as a major beneficiary of Federation funding and co-sponsors PJ Library. Located at 702 N. 22nd St., the JCC serves nearly 2,000 members with wellness, children's, and community programs.
• Jewish Day School of the Lehigh ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish Day School co-sponsors PJ Library program and is part of the Federation network. Located at 2313 Pennsylvania Street, Allentown, the school serves grades pre-K through 8.
• Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJFS is a Federation-funded agency providing social services, counseling, community food pantry, and older adult services. Located at 2004 W. Allen Street, Allentown.
• Harold Grinspoon FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPJ Library is a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. In the Lehigh Valley, PJ Library is made possible through partnership with the Federation, JCC, and Jewish Day School, supported by the Wax Family Fund and other local foundations.
• Yoav Region, Israel (Partnership2Gether)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership2Gether program links the Lehigh Valley Jewish community with the Yoav region in Israel. Includes community shaliach, missions, and joint programming. Yoav's mayor Matti Sarfatti Hacarvi served as Partnership2Gether chairperson before being elected to Knesset.
• Lehigh Valley Jewish FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation serves as the endowment fund of the Jewish community, a program of the Federation. Manages donor gift planning, endowment funds, and planned giving programs including LIFE & LEGACY.
• Secure Community Network (SCN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCN provides security training for faith-based institutions. The Federation offers SCN security training including Countering Active Threat, Stop the Bleed, and Guardian Training programs for the community.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• UJA-Federation of New York: The largest Jewish Federation in North America, operating the same annual-campaign / allocations model at massive scale. Comparable mission and program categories (community services, Israel, education, security) but with a far larger budget and broader scope.
• Jewish United Fund (JUF) of Chicago: One of the largest Jewish Federations in North America. Operates the same Annual Campaign, allocations, JCC partnership, and Israel engagement model as JFLV, but at significantly greater scale — useful for sizing benchmarks.

Direct peers

• Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia: A regional Jewish Federation serving a comparable mid-size Jewish community. Operates the same annual campaign / allocations model and affiliates JCC, day school, and family service partners, making its structure and revenue model directly comparable to JFLV.
• Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta: A regional Jewish Federation with comparable fundraising structure, allocations process, and affiliate network. Operates PJ Library, JCC partnerships, and security initiatives in a mid-size community, making it a strong structural peer.
• Jewish Federation of Cleveland: A regional Jewish Federation with a comparable federated giving model, community foundation, and network of beneficiary agencies. Similar mid-tier community size and Annual Campaign scale to JFLV.
• The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore: A long-established Jewish Federation running an Annual Campaign, supporting JCC and JFS affiliates, and operating international Israel programs. Highly comparable mission, scope, and revenue model to JFLV at a moderately larger scale.
• Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh: A regional Jewish Federation with a similar tri-city catchment model (Pittsburgh) and comparable mid-size scope. Engages in Annual Campaign, emergency campaigns, Partnership2Gether-style Israel programming, and community foundation / endowment activities.
• Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford: A mid-size regional Jewish Federation serving a tri-state Jewish community in New England. Directly comparable in size, affiliate structure, and the mix of Annual Campaign, endowment, and emergency programming.

Emerging players

• Harold Grinspoon Foundation (PJ Library): The national foundation that operates PJ Library — the very program JFLV co-sponsors locally. Direct program partnership (Mutual relationship) and serves as the upstream sponsor of JFLV's youth engagement pipeline.

Others

• Jewish Community Centers Association of North America: National umbrella for JCCs, including the JCC of the Lehigh Valley which JFLV funds. Coordinates solidarity missions to Israel and broader JCC programming — a strategic ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZcsvd08i37yG4sZZ76AwhQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/jewishlehighvalley
• Instagraminstagram.com/jfedlv
• Xx.com/jfedlv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley