January 23, 2003 | Read Time: 1 minute
United Jewish Communities is shutting down the Trust for Jewish Philanthropy, citing “budgetary constraints.”
The trust was founded in 2000, shortly after UJC was created through the merger of the United Jewish Appeal, the Council of Jewish Federations, and the United Israel Appeal. The trust’s goals included reaching out to new donors and attracting younger people to Jewish philanthropy.
In a statement announcing the shutdown, Stephen H. Hoffman, UJC’s president, said that while the trust “has been a valued partner,” it did not fit into the organization’s “financial priorities.”
Some of the trust’s programs, Mr. Hoffman added, will be absorbed into United Jewish Communities departments. One of those programs is Advancing Women Professionals and the Jewish Community, he said.
UJC officials declined to be interviewed about its decision to shut down the trust.
In the United Jewish Communities press release, David Altshuler, president of the trust, also attributed the closing of the trust to financial issues, saying, “Given budget constraints, [United Jewish Communities’] priority has shifted to more immediate needs.” Mr. Altshuler could not be reached by press time for comment.
Mr. Hoffman said United Jewish Communities will try to find jobs for trust employees within the parent organization.
