Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County

What Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County does

Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community federation headquartered at 4200 Park Avenue, Suite 300, Bridgeport, Connecticut (EIN 06-0994563). It serves a Jewish community of approximately 28,000 across 15 towns — Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Georgetown, Monroe, Norwalk, Redding, Ridgefield, Rowayton, Southport, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton — functioning as the central coordinating body for Jewish life in Greater Fairfield County under the Jewish Federations of North America umbrella.

The Federation's core programs include PJ Library (free Jewish children's books delivered monthly to 1,000+ local children), Merkaz Community High School for Judaic Studies (operating since 1980, serving grades 8-12), the Holocaust Resource Center (the first and only in Fairfield County), Dignity Grows (period-poverty initiative launched September 2021), Book Buddies (literacy tutoring at Blackham School), Community Security (delivered in partnership with Secure Community Network), and Israel & Overseas programs anchored by the Partnership2Gether relationship with the Afula-Gilboa region. Underlying operations are coordinated through a 9-employee Bridgeport office and a network of 7 partner synagogues, 24+ beneficiary organizations, and academic partners including Sacred Heart University, Fairfield University, and UConn Hillel.

The business model is philanthropic: revenue derives from an Annual Campaign, program-specific giving, tribute gifts, employee matching programs, and legacy/endowment giving, with grant funding from Fairfield County's Community Foundation and Connecticut Humanities. The 2025 Annual Campaign allocated over $300K to 38 social service agencies and humanitarian projects, and over $500K has been mobilized to the Swords of Iron Israel Emergency Fund since October 7, 2023. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on partner synagogues, schools, and direct donor outreach through weekly events newsletters (5,000+ subscribers), monthly community updates, and signature events such as the Beyond the Pages Author Series. Merkaz tuition ($815-$900 per student annually, subsidized by partner synagogues) and small unit-priced programs (Dignity Grows $10/tote, PJ Library $36/pack) represent nominal direct program revenue.

Name

Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County

Legal name

Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County

Website

https://shalomct.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County is a Bridgeport, CT-based nonprofit federation serving 28,000 Jewish community members across 15 towns, coordinating philanthropy, Jewish education (Merkaz, PJ Library), Holocaust remembrance, community security, and humanitarian aid through an Annual Campaign and a network of partner synagogues and beneficiary organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Philanthropy and Social Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAJAA

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGAHAD

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations

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

SECONDARYBPAGADAB

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYHLAJALAF

Community Health & Prevention Program Funding

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Public Health, Government & Regulators/Public Health Funding, Grants & Program Administration

Keywords

• Community philanthropy services
• Jewish education programs
• Humanitarian fundraising
• Community security coordination
• Social services grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Bridgeport

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, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Annual Campaign: The primary fundraising mechanism, the Annual Campaign brings community members together to sustain and strengthen Jewish life locally, in Israel, and around the world. Donations are directed to support essential programs, social services, security, and Jewish education.
2. Program-Specific Giving: Donors can support specific programs including Community Security, PJ Library, Holocaust Resource Center, Merkaz, Dignity Grows, Israel Emissary Program, and Legacy & Endowment Giving.
3. Tribute Gifts: Donations made in honor, celebration, or memory of individuals to mark meaningful life moments while supporting the community.
4. Employee Giving Programs: Matching gifts, volunteer incentives, and payroll giving programs that allow employers to match employee charitable contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County is a non-profit community organization that aggregates philanthropic donations to fund Jewish education, community security, Holocaust education and survivor services, humanitarian aid, and Israel engagement programs across 15 towns in Connecticut. It operates flagship programs including PJ Library (free Jewish children's books), Merkaz (teen Jewish education), Holocaust Resource Center, Dignity Grows (menstrual health products), and Community Security services, distributing resources through a network of 7 partner synagogues, 24+ beneficiary organizations, and a Bridgeport-based staff team.

Product overview

Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County operates as a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of community programs rather than a unified technology product. The main offerings include: PJ Library (free Jewish children's books), Merkaz (Jewish teen education), Holocaust Resource Center, Dignity Grows (hygiene products), Book Buddies (literacy), Community Security services, Israel & Overseas programs, and various giving/financial programs. These programs are accessed through the ShalomCT.org website and are funded through the Annual Campaign and other donations. The organization also provides volunteer opportunities and publishes newsletters to engage the Jewish community across 14 towns in Fairfield County.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PJ Library: Program that sends free, high-quality Jewish children's storybooks to families every month, funded locally by the Jewish Federation. Sends books to over 1,000 local children.
• Merkaz
• Holocaust Resource Center
• Dignity Grows
• Book Buddies

Products and services

• PJ Library

Quantifiable outcome

• Reached 801 families and 1,043 children through PJ Library in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Secure Community Network (SCN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the official safety and security organization for the North American Jewish community. SCN provides 24/7 Jewish Security Operations Command Center, threat monitoring, and supports the Federation's Community Security Director position.
• Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational umbrella organization connecting local federations. Coordinates emergency relief campaigns including the Venezuela Earthquake Relief Fund and Swords of Iron Israel Emergency Fund.
• Jewish Agency for IsraelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Jewish humanitarian organization providing assistance to vulnerable Jewish populations. Partners on overseas programming and emergency response efforts.
• American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational humanitarian organization aiding Jewish populations in central/eastern Europe and Middle East. Partner for elderly Jewish support in Russia and global crisis response.
• Chabad of FairfieldcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner synagogue contributing tuition subsidy for Merkaz students and distributing PJ Library books to local families.
• Congregation Beth El (Norwalk)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner synagogue contributing tuition subsidy for Merkaz students. Hosts Schoke Kosher Food Pantry distribution site.
• Congregation B'nai IsraelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner synagogue contributing tuition subsidy for Merkaz students. Location for Merkaz classes.
• Congregation Rodeph SholomcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner synagogue contributing tuition subsidy for Merkaz students.
• Or HadashcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner synagogue contributing tuition subsidy for Merkaz students. Location for Merkaz classes.
• Temple ShalomcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner synagogue contributing tuition subsidy for Merkaz students.
• TCS (The Community Synagogue)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner synagogue contributing tuition subsidy for Merkaz students.
• Partnership2Gether (Afula-Gilboa Region)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership region in northern Israel. Supports humanitarian efforts, educational initiatives, and community-building programs. Federation has allocated $170K to 15 organizations in this region.
• Harold Grinspoon FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner for PJ Library program. Provides shared investment and partial matching contributions for PJ Library support.
• Sacred Heart UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for Holocaust Resource Center programming including film series, speaker events, and intergenerational learning programs.
• Fairfield UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome to Bennett Center for Judaic Studies, a beneficiary organization for Federation funding.
• Dignity GrowscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization providing menstrual health products. Federation distributes through local beneficiary organizations including Schoke Jewish Family Service, area schools, and local shelters.
• Anti-Defamation League (Connecticut Region)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeneficiary organization providing antisemitism education, resources, and incident response support to the greater Fairfield County community.
• BBYO Connecticut Valley RegionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish youth organization with chapters in Fairfield and Ridgefield. Beneficiary organization inspiring Jewish teens to find community and leadership opportunities.
• Schoke Jewish Family Service of Fairfield CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey beneficiary providing Holocaust Survivor Services, counseling, kosher food pantries, and camp scholarships. Distributes Dignity Grows totes.
• Mozaic Senior LifesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenior care services provider in Bridgeport. Host site for Men's Club George Lipton Golf Invitational and Alzheimer's Support Group.
• Friendship Circle of Fairfield CountysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeneficiary organization bridging special needs and typical youth through shared experiences. Federation funds Bowling League program.
• Circle of Friends of ConnecticutsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeneficiary organization providing social programs for individuals with autism and disabilities. Federation funds social programs and volunteer activities.
• Emunah Afula Children's CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIsraeli organization providing residential and after-school care for 120 at-risk children aged 6-18. Federation funds Ofek B'Emanah Home-Schooling Program and Strengthening the Bond family-education program.
• The Westport LibrarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner hosting Holocaust Resource Center programming including author events and educational programs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Anti-Defamation League: National nonprofit focused on antisemitism incident response, education, and security. Federation funds ADL's Connecticut regional office and partners on incident reporting, making it adjacent rather than directly competitive.

Direct peers

• Jewish Federation of San Diego County: Regional Jewish federation serving a county-sized Jewish community with allocations, security programs, and PJ Library. Analogous mid-size federation operating between urban and small-community models.
• Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford: Regional Jewish federation serving a Connecticut community of similar scale with PJ Library, allocations, security, and Israel engagement programming. Closest geographic and size peer for direct benchmarking.
• Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey: Suburban Northeast Jewish federation with overlapping programs (PJ Library, Merkaz-style teen education, community security, allocations process). Comparable scope of services for a similar suburban community footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia: Northeast Jewish federation running large-scale allocations, security, Israel programs, and community education. Provides reference architecture for security coordination and emergency response campaigns.
• Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta: Major regional Jewish federation operating the same federation ecosystem model with PJ Library, security initiatives, Israel partnerships, and large-scale allocations to beneficiary agencies across a multi-county region.
• Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston: Major regional Jewish federation running PJ Library, community security, allocations to local agencies, and Israel overseas programming for a comparable community-coordinator role. Mid-size federation comparable to Greater Fairfield County in model, larger in scale.
• UJA-Federation of New York: Largest Jewish federation in the U.S., operating the same Annual Campaign model, allocations to beneficiary agencies, Israel emergency response, and Jewish education programming. Direct same-category peer for benchmarking campaign structure and community programming.

Emerging players

• Harold Grinspoon Foundation (PJ Library): Founding foundation for the PJ Library program that this Federation localizes. Strategic upstream partner that provides shared investment and partial matching contributions, making PJ Library direct comparison relevant as a sub-brand.

Regional players

• Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford: Connecticut-based Jewish foundation focused on endowment and planned giving. Adjacent in geography and function but specialized in legacy giving rather than community-wide programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PJLibraryCT
• Instagraminstagram.com/pjlibraryct
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shalomct

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

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 Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County