Jewish Federation Of St. Joseph Valley, Inc.

What Jewish Federation Of St. Joseph Valley, Inc. does

The Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1950 and headquartered on a 27-acre campus at 3202 Shalom Way in South Bend, Indiana, serving as the central coordinating body for the Jewish community of the Michiana region (Northcentral Indiana and Southwest Michigan). It operates an integrated portfolio of social services, education, youth programming, cultural events, and Israel engagement programs, supported by a professional staff of approximately nine people plus a Board of Directors and a volunteer network. Core programs include Jewish Family Services (food assistance, transportation, financial aid, senior services, SHIP Medicare navigation), Camp Ideal (a 60+ year old pluralistic summer day camp), Camp Invention (a STEM program run in partnership with the national Invention Convention), PJ Library (free Jewish children's books for ages 6 months to 11 years), Holocaust Education (including a Speaker's Bureau), NEXTGen (young adult programming ages 21-45), the Michiana Jewish Film Festival, Adult Education through the Forever Learning Institute, and Partnership2Gether (an international people-to-people program via The Jewish Agency linking Michiana to the Western Galilee and Budapest).

The organization runs on a donation-driven nonprofit revenue model rather than a technology platform. There is no proprietary software or AI system described; the technology stack consists of standard nonprofit infrastructure including donor management, a website, and third-party event registration (Qgiv, Bloomerang). Revenue streams include Annual Campaign pledges, Life & Legacy planned giving (Letters of Intent with revocable commitments), Tributes & Memorials directed to named endowment funds, program fees from Camp Ideal ($875 per 3-week session or $300 per week) and Camp Invention ($285 per week), general undesignated donations, and modest earned income. Partnerships anchor nearly every major program: Harold Grinspoon Foundation supplies Life & Legacy and PJ Library infrastructure; The Jewish Agency powers Partnership2Gether and provides the Israeli Emissary; seven local congregations and schools participate in coordinated programming; and Forever Learning Institute, Yad Vashem, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, ADL, and Camp Invention provide content or distribution.

Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven. The Federation engages donors and beneficiaries through Annual Campaign fundraising, community events (Annual Meeting, film festival, lectures, book clubs), direct outreach to households, and volunteer mobilization, distributed via the campus, mobile/community outreach (Jewish Family Services), and partner congregation/school channels. Customer concentration is high by design — virtually all revenue and beneficiaries originate from the local Jewish population — and the organization is governed by a Board led by President Cristyne Porile, with day-to-day operations under Executive Director Emily Benedix following the November 2025 passing of former Executive Director Moshe Kruger.

Name

Jewish Federation Of St. Joseph Valley, Inc.

Legal name

Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley

Website

https://thejewishfed.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded 1950, serving as the central coordinating body for the Jewish community of the Michiana region (Northcentral Indiana and Southwest Michigan) through social services, youth and adult education, camps, cultural programming, and Israel partnership programs funded primarily by donations and endowments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services (Jewish Federations)

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ), Leadership, Debate & Model UN Camps (EDAMALAK)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Jewish educational programs
• Summer day camp
• Holocaust education
• Nonprofit human services

Headquarters

HQ city

South Bend

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 Donations: Primary fundraising mechanism where donors make annual pledges to support Federation programs and operations. The 2026 Annual Campaign emphasizes community support for Jewish life locally, in Israel, and globally.
2. Legacy Gifts & Planned Giving: Life & Legacy program encouraging after-lifetime giving through bequests, endowment funds, and Donor Advised Funds. Letters of Intent for estate planning with revocable commitments.
3. Tributes & Memorials: Donations made in honor or memory of individuals, directed to specific funds or the Annual Campaign. Multiple named endowment funds accept memorial donations.
4. Camp Fees: Program fees for Camp Ideal (summer day camp) and Camp Invention (STEM camp). Camp Ideal charges $875 per 3-week session or $300 per week; Camp Invention charges $285 per week.
5. General Donations: Undesignated donations supporting general operations and initiatives where most needed. Donation page available year-round via secure payment platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley is the central Jewish communal organization serving the Michiana region (Northcentral Indiana and Southwest Michigan). It provides a comprehensive suite of services including Jewish Family Services (food assistance, transportation, financial aid, senior services, SHIP Medicare navigation), summer camps (Camp Ideal and Camp Invention), PJ Library children's literature, Holocaust Education, young adult programming (NEXTGen), the Michiana Jewish Film Festival, adult education, Israel engagement through Partnership2Gether, Federation scholarships, and coordinated fundraising through its Annual Campaign.

Product overview

Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley operates as a community nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of social service and educational programs rather than a unified technology product. The core programming includes Jewish Family Services (providing food assistance, transportation, financial aid, and senior services), youth programming through Camp Ideal and Camp Invention, children's literature via PJ Library, Holocaust education with a Speaker's Bureau, young adult engagement through NEXTGen, cultural programming including the Michiana Jewish Film Festival, adult education, and Israel connection via Partnership2Gether. These programs are delivered as standalone community services rather than as software products, modules, or a technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Jewish Family Services Human services program providing food pantry, financial assistance (food cards, gas cards, interest-free loans), transportation to medical appointments, shopping trips, wellness checks, senior services, and SHIP Medicare navigation for Jewish individuals and families in the Michiana region.
• Camp Ideal Pluralistic summer day camp offering a fun, safe, and enriching Jewish heritage experience for children from grades 1-8 and diverse cultural backgrounds. Features field trips, workshops, lake activities, sports, arts and crafts, and a Hadracha program for Grades 9-10. Pricing: $875 per 3-week session (June 15 - July 2, 2026) or $300 per week, with Early/Late Care available for $65/week extra.
• Camp Invention Two-week hands-on STEM summer program led by local educators, designed to spark creativity and innovative thinking for children in grades K-6 (rising K through 6th grade). Pricing: $285 per week (with promo code NEWCAMP30 saving $30 on week one). Two weeks available: July 13-17 and July 20-24, 2026.
• PJ Library Free monthly Jewish children's books sent to families with children ages 6 months through 11 years, fostering curiosity about Jewish heritage and identity through storytelling. PJ Library serves children up to age 8, and PJ Our Way continues for ages 9-11.
• Holocaust Education Holocaust education programming including a Speaker's Bureau with five different presentations, educational resources, and curriculum support, delivered in partnership with national organizations Yad Vashem (World Holocaust Remembrance Center) and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum for local schools and organizations.
• NEXTGen Community programming for Jewish young adults ages 21-45 including nature hikes, wine and canvas events, happy hours, and family-focused events to build relationships and find meaning in Jewish life.
• Michiana Jewish Film Festival Annual film festival showcasing Jewish-themed films and cultural programming for the Michiana community.
• Adult Education Lifelong learning opportunities including adult education classes through Forever Learning Institute partnership (8-week semesters taught by community volunteers), book clubs, lunch and learn sessions, and lectures on various Jewish and general topics.
• Chesed Resources Local social services directory providing resources for clothing assistance, disaster relief, food pantries, healthcare, shelters, and housing for the Greater South Bend region.
• Federation Scholarships Scholarship programs including the Neil and Leah Silver Advanced Degree Scholarship supporting Jewish graduate students from the Michiana service area.
• Partnership2Gether Partnership program with The Jewish Agency for Israel connecting the Michiana Jewish community to the Western Galilee in Israel through people-to-people cultural, social, medical, educational, and economic programs; coordinated within the Western Galilee Central Area Consortium connecting 16 U.S. communities plus Budapest.
• My Israeli Story 30-minute presentation by Israeli emissary Omer Karavani sharing personal family history and Israel's history through the lens of diverse Jewish heritage.
• Youth & Family Programming Youth and family programming including SaBaBaH teen programming and family engagement activities designed to build Jewish identity and community connection.
• Community Relations Community relations programming providing community resources, interfaith programming, advocacy support, and a Jewish community directory serving both Jewish and non-Jewish community members in Michiana.

Quantifiable outcome

• Provided $16,750 in food cards, $5,025 in gas cards, $1,000 in interest-free loans, 96 medical visits, 230 free rides, 106 shopping trips in the last year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Harold Grinspoon Foundation for Life & Legacy program promoting after-lifetime giving. HGF provides training, support, and monetary incentives to encourage legacy gifts. Also partners on PJ Library program providing free Jewish children's books.
• Jewish Federations of North AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Federation partnership for Life & Legacy program and other Jewish Federation initiatives. Jewish Federations of North America coordinates national programming and advocacy efforts.
• The Jewish Agency for IsraelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership2Gether program operates through The Jewish Agency, connecting local community to Western Galilee, Budapest, and other U.S. communities. The Agency provides the Shlichim (Israeli emissary) program.
• Sinai SynagoguecoreOthersLocal partner in Life & Legacy program. One of the primary congregations in the Michiana Jewish community, Conservative movement.
• Temple Beth-ElcoreOthersLocal partner in Life & Legacy program. Reform congregation hosting hybrid services at the Jewish Federation. Home to Kurt & Tessye Simon Fund for Holocaust Remembrance.
• South Bend Hebrew Day SchoolminorOthersLocal partner in Life & Legacy program. Jewish day school serving PK3-8th grade.
• Harold Grinspoon Foundation (PJ Library)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPJ Library program operated through partnership with Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Sends free Jewish children's books monthly to Jewish families with children ages 6 months through 11 years.
• Forever Learning InstituteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership providing adult education classes in 8-week semester format. Federation hosts classes and volunteers from the community serve as instructors.
• Yad VashemminorOthersWorld Holocaust Remembrance Center in Israel. Referenced as a resource for Holocaust education and curriculum support.
• United States Holocaust Memorial MuseumminorOthersNational Holocaust museum referenced as a resource partner for educational materials and programming support.
• ADL (Anti-Defamation League)minorOthersCommunity partner providing antisemitism resources and educational tools. Federation connects community members with ADL for additional support.
• Camp Invention (National Invention Convention)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCamp Invention is a national STEM camp program hosted locally at the Jewish Federation. Led by local educators with curriculum from the national organization.
• Hillel (Indiana University Bloomington and Purdue)minorOthersJewish student organizations at nearby universities. Community partners listed in Federation directory.
• BBYOminorOthersJewish teen leadership organization. Listed as community partner in Federation directory.
• JDC (American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee)minorOthersInternational Jewish humanitarian organization. Listed as community partner.
• Western Galilee Central Area ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership2Gether connects 16 U.S. communities with Western Galilee (Israel) and Budapest (Hungary). The Western Galilee Partnership is part of the Central Area Consortium under Partnership2Gether.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Harold Grinspoon Foundation: Foundation partnering with the Federation on Life & Legacy and PJ Library programs — providing training, incentives, and curriculum. A program-partner and funding-backbone for two core Federation initiatives.
• The Jewish Agency for Israel: Quasi-governmental Israeli organization that operates Partnership2Gether and the Shlichim (Israeli emissary) program partnering directly with the Federation to deliver Israel programming.
• Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA): Umbrella organization coordinating 146+ U.S. Jewish Federations, including the subject, and providing shared advocacy, Israel engagement, and Partnership2Gether. The national parent structure the Federation operates within.

Regional players

• Community Foundation of St. Joseph County: Local non-Jewish community foundation operating in the same South Bend geography, performing comparable grantmaking, endowment management, and donor services across the broader Michiana population.
• Temple Beth-El (South Bend): Reform congregation that is a Life & Legacy partner with the Federation and hosts hybrid services on the Federation campus — one of seven local congregations clustering in the same Michiana Jewish community.

Direct peers

• Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia: Another Jewish Federation with the same community-coordinator model of fundraising, social services, and Israel programming, providing comparison for a mid-to-large metropolitan Federation operating model.
• Jewish Federation of Cleveland: Mid-sized Rust Belt Jewish Federation with parallel programming (annual campaign, family services, Mandel-funded Hebrew day schools, Israel partnership) operating in a similarly aged community.
• Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis: A fellow Jewish Federation serving a Midwestern Jewish community with comparable programming (annual campaign, family services, Israel engagement, legacy giving). Directly comparable operating model and similar scale.

Emerging players

• JCC Association of North America: National body representing Jewish Community Centers, which often deliver overlapping programming (camps, education, fitness, cultural events) to local Jewish communities and serve as partial substitutes for Federation programming.

Broad incumbents

• Jewish United Fund / Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago: Largest U.S. Jewish Federation with the same federation operating model (Annual Campaign, social services, Israel engagement, legacy giving, camps) but at materially larger scale, serving the Chicago metro region.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/thejewishfed
• Facebookfacebook.com/thejewishfed
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jewish-federation-of-st-joseph-valley

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Jewish Federation Of St. Joseph Valley, Inc.