Calgary Jewish Federation

What Calgary Jewish Federation does

Calgary Jewish Federation (CJF) is a private not-for-profit organization headquartered at 1607 90 Avenue SW in Calgary, Alberta, and serves as the central funding, planning, advocacy, and coordinating body for the Jewish community in Calgary. With a staff of approximately 9 employees, CJF operates a portfolio of more than 15 community programs spanning the full life cycle: Shalom Baby (newborns), PJ Library (children 6 months–12 years), Jewish day school bursaries and youth groups, Hillel Calgary (post-secondary), JAC/Jewish Adult Calgary (young adults 25–40), Shalom YYC (newcomers), Inclusion programming, and Holocaust and Human Rights education delivered to Calgary and Southern Alberta schools grades 4–12. The organization also coordinates Israel-engagement activity via Partnership2Gether (linking six Canadian communities to Israel's Etzba Hagalil region), the Israel Emergency Fund, and the ShinShinim young ambassador exchange.

The federation's revenue model is donation-based and centered on the annual United Jewish Appeal (UJA) campaign, which is supplemented by a tiered philanthropy pyramid: Ben Gurion Society ($1,000+/year with a 3-year Step Up option), Lion of Judah ($5,000+/year women's philanthropy, part of a 16,000+ global network), LIFE & LEGACY planned giving, Tribute Cards ($18 minimum), the Israel Emergency Fund, and the PJ Library Legacy Fund. Most community-facing programs are free to participants, while a small set of services carry fees (Yad Vashem virtual Holocaust programs at approximately $250 each, Shabbat Summer Lunch at $20 adult/$15 child/$75 family). Underlying technology is limited to a website-based platform for community engagement, event management, donations, and communications; there is no proprietary technology, no mobile app, and no public API. Core operating partnerships include Jewish Federations of Canada–UIA, Jewish Federations of North America, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), Yad Vashem, the Shoah Foundation, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and the Government of Alberta (funder of the Second Voices Project).

Name

Calgary Jewish Federation

Legal name

Calgary Jewish Federation

Website

https://jewishcalgary.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Calgary Jewish Federation is the central non-profit funding, planning, and coordinating body for the Jewish community in Calgary, delivering programs in education, Holocaust remembrance, Israel engagement, and community services, funded primarily through the annual UJA campaign.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Jewish Community Federation Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

Keywords

• Jewish community federation
• Community nonprofit programs
• Holocaust education
• Jewish philanthropy campaigns
• Israel partnership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. United Jewish Appeal (UJA) Campaign: Annual fundraising campaign that supports programs and services provided by Calgary Jewish Federation and partner agencies locally, nationally, in Israel and around the world. This is the primary revenue stream for the organization.
2. Tribute Cards: Donation-based tribute cards sold in honour of special occasions (birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, weddings, B'nai Mitzvah) or to commemorate loved ones. Minimum donation of $18 for charitable tax receipt.
3. Lion of Judah Program: Women's philanthropy program requiring minimum $5,000 annual contribution to the UJA Campaign. Over 16,000 women worldwide participate.
4. Ben Gurion Society: Young adult giving society requiring $1,000 contribution to UJA Campaign, with Step Up incentive program allowing incremental contributions over three years.
5. Planned Giving / LIFE & LEGACY: Endowment and legacy gift programs where donors leave bequests to support the community indefinitely.
6. Israel Emergency Fund: Emergency fundraising campaign established to provide aid to victims of terror and their families in Israel. 100% of funds donated go directly to relief efforts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Calgary Jewish Federation is the central funding, planning, advocacy, and coordinating body for the Jewish community in Calgary. It raises funds primarily through its annual United Jewish Appeal (UJA) Campaign and distributes them across a portfolio of community programs (PJ Library, Shalom Baby, JAC, Hillel, Inclusion, Shalom YYC, Israel Engagement, Partnership2Gether, Holocaust and Human Rights education) and philanthropic giving circles (Lion of Judah, Ben Gurion Society, LIFE & LEGACY, Tribute Cards). It also coordinates an antisemitic incident reporting service in partnership with CIJA.

Product overview

Calgary Jewish Federation is a community non-profit organization, not a technology company. It operates as the central funding, planning, advocacy, and coordinating body for the Jewish community in Calgary. The organization's offerings consist of community programs and services rather than technology products. Key programs include PJ Library (free Jewish children's books), Holocaust and Human Rights education programs, JAC (Jewish Adult Calgary for young professionals), Hillel (post-secondary engagement), Shalom Baby (new family welcome), Inclusion programs, and Israel engagement initiatives including Partnership2Gether and the Israel Emergency Fund. The organization also manages philanthropy programs like Lion of Judah and Ben Gurion Society, publishes newsletters (Jewish Calgary Together, Federation 4), and provides services including tribute cards and antisemitic incident reporting. These programs work together to fulfill the Federation's mission of building a vibrant, caring, and inclusive Jewish community locally, in Israel, and worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PJ Library: Free Jewish children's books program sending age-appropriate Jewish-content books to homes of subscribed children from six months to 12 years old.
• JAC (Jewish Adult Calgary)
• Shalom Baby
• Shalom YYC
• Holocaust and Human Rights: Remembrance and Education
• Israel Engagement & Support

Products and services

• PJ Library A program that sends free, age-appropriate Jewish-content books to children from ages six months to 12 years old, fostering Jewish education and engagement from an early age. Funded through the UJA Campaign.
• Shalom Baby A welcome program for new babies and their families in the Jewish community, providing socialization opportunities and connections to community resources.
• JAC (Jewish Adult Calgary) A program for Jewish adults aged approximately 25 to 40 that focuses on building community through Jewish life and culture, social events, tikkun olam, fundraising, leadership development, and education.
• Hillel Calgary A program that engages post-secondary students in Jewish life, develops leadership abilities, and strengthens connections to Israel.
• Inclusion Program A program focused on developing inclusivity awareness and education in community organizations while creating programs and services so people of all abilities enjoy a welcoming community.
• Shalom YYC A newcomer welcome program that helps new Jewish residents connect with the community through welcome baskets and Shabbat or holiday dinner connections.
• Holocaust and Human Rights: Remembrance and Education A comprehensive program promoting acceptance, social justice, and human rights through education and remembrance of the Holocaust. Engages thousands of students annually through Here to Tell, Second Voices Project, Holocaust Education Symposium, survivor testimony presentations, and Yad Vashem virtual programs.
• March of the Living Calgary An educational program that takes Jewish teens to Poland and Israel to march from Auschwitz to Birkenau and participate in Holocaust education and commemoration.
• Partnership2Gether (P2G) A signature Canada-Israel connection program that builds and strengthens relationships between people and communities in Coast-to-Coast Canada and in Etzbah Hagalil (Galilee Panhandle) through programs that build Jewish identity. P2G announced a $20 million investment for education infrastructure in northern Israel.
• Israel Emergency Fund An emergency fundraising initiative providing immediate support for victims of terror, emergency evacuation and housing for frontline communities, trauma relief, and emergency medical services in Israel. 100% of funds donated go directly to relief efforts.
• Lion of Judah A women's philanthropy program requiring a minimum commitment of $5,000 to the UJA Annual Campaign, supporting leadership development and community causes. Over 16,000 women worldwide participate.
• Ben Gurion Society A young adult giving society recognizing those who contribute $1,000 or more to the UJA Campaign, with a Step Up incentive program allowing incremental contributions over three years.
• LIFE & LEGACY A planned giving program allowing supporters to leave legacy gifts and endowments to benefit the Jewish community indefinitely.
• Tribute Cards Digital or printed greeting cards for occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, B'nai Mitzvah, and condolences, with donations (minimum $18 for charitable tax receipt) directed to various community funds.
• Report an Antisemitic Incident A reporting tool partnered with CIJA to help community members report hate crimes and antisemitic incidents to local and national authorities.
• Israel Engagement & Support Programs connecting the Calgary Jewish community with Israel through Partnership2Gether, ShinShinim (Israeli young adult ambassadors), Birthright Israel, and emergency fund initiatives.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands of students engaged in Holocaust education annually through Here to Tell, Second Voices Project, and Holocaust Education Symposium
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Jewish Federations of Canada-United Israel Appeal (JFC-UIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary national partnership for coordinating Israel emergency response and development programs. CJF works with JFC-UIA to allocate funds for Israeli communities affected by conflict and to support Partnership2Gether initiatives. This partnership enables the $20 million investment announcement for rebuilding northern Israel.
• Partnership2Gether (Jewish Agency for Israel)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLinks six Canadian Jewish communities with the Etzba Hagalil (Galilee Panhandle) region of Israel through the Coast-to-Coast P2G program. Programs include Gesher Chai (Living Bridges) connecting schools, leadership development, volunteerism, and regional development initiatives. P2G has announced $20 million investment for education infrastructure in northern Israel.
• Yad Vashem (World Holocaust Remembrance Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for virtual Holocaust education programs. Yad Vashem offers virtual tours of the Holocaust History Museum and interactive programs including 'Last Letters,' 'How was it Humanly Possible,' and 'The Auschwitz Album' for approximately $250 per program. Suitable for teens ages 15-18.
• Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational advocacy partnership for combating antisemitism. CJF partnered with CIJA's hate reporting tool to ensure incidents are swiftly addressed and notify both local and national authorities. CIJA also works with CJF on IHRA definition adoption and community advocacy.
• Tel-Hai CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey Israeli educational institution partner for the $20 million rebuilding initiative in northern Israel. Tel-Hai College (soon to be university) is a focal point for academic infrastructure development in the Etzba Hagalil region.
• Solid Rock Baptist ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partnership for interfaith dialogue through the 'Bridges of Faith: Christian-Jewish Allyship' event aimed at strengthening relationships between Jewish and Christian communities in Calgary.
• Jewish Federations of North AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational federation network providing organizational support, standards, and shared resources for local federation operations including Calgary Jewish Federation.
• Jewish Agency for Israel - ShinShinim ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelcomes Israeli ShinShinim (18-year-olds who defer IDF service for one year) to Calgary as ambassadors for Israel. ShinShinim live with host families, work in schools, synagogues, and community organizations to build bridges between Israel and the diaspora.
• Echos and ReflectionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning curriculum and lesson plans on the Holocaust provided as a resource for educators through the Holocaust and Human Rights education program.
• Shoah FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccess to Calgary-connected Holocaust survivor testimonies from the Shoah Foundation video collection. CJF has access to full and partial testimonies for educational use.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• UJA-Federation of New York: The largest U.S. Jewish federation; a strategic umbrella for the Jewish Federations of North America network to which CJF belongs. Comparable enterprise model though much larger in scale.
• Combined Jewish Philanthropies (Boston): Large-scale U.S. Jewish federation operating an annual campaign and broad community programming across a regional Jewish community. Useful U.S. analogue for funding structure, donor-tier programs, and partner-agency model.

Direct peers

• Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver: Western Canadian peer running an annual campaign, agency funding, and Partnership2Gether/P2G programming connecting local communities to Israeli regions. Directly comparable in structure and mission to CJF.
• UJA Federation of Greater Toronto: Toronto's Jewish federation operates an analogous UJA annual campaign, partner-agency funding model, and program portfolio (PJ Library, Hillel, Holocaust education). It is the closest Canadian analogue to CJF, scaled to a much larger metropolitan Jewish community.
• Federation CJA (Montreal): Quebec's combined Jewish federation operating an annual campaign and the same broad portfolio of community programs (education, culture, advocacy). Largest Canadian Jewish federation, well-suited as a comparable for what CJF's model can scale into.
• Jewish Federation of Edmonton: Alberta-based peer federation serving the Edmonton Jewish community through annual campaigns and programming. Highly relevant given shared province, overlapping donor pools, and similar community-scale economics.
• Jewish Federation of Greater Washington: Mid-to-large U.S. federation coordinating annual campaigns, advocacy (with regional CIJA equivalent), and Israel partnership programs. Comparable in programming breadth and donor cultivation approach to CJF.
• Jewish Federation of Ottawa (Soloway Jewish Community Centre): Another mid-size Canadian Jewish federation coordinating fundraising, program delivery, and partner agencies in a regional city. Operates the same UJA-style annual campaign and community-program portfolio as CJF.
• Jewish Federation of Winnipeg: Prairie-province peer federation running annual fundraising campaigns and community programming in Winnipeg. Comparable in scale and structure to CJF, with similar geographic and demographic realities.

Others

• Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA): National advocacy partner, not a federation, but coordinates policy/antisemitism work alongside local Jewish federations including CJF. Included as the structural national counterpart CJF collaborates with on IHRA adoption and hate-incident reporting.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Jewishcalgary
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@calgaryjewishfederation
• Facebookfacebook.com/CalgaryJewishFederation
• Instagraminstagram.com/calgary_jewish_federation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/calgaryjewishfederation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Calgary Jewish Federation