JF&CS Touts Growth, Innovation & Durability Campaign

Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta (JF&CS) announced significant progress in its Growth, Innovation & Durability (GID) Campaign, having raised more than $7.3 million in new endowment commitments. This achievement has effectively doubled the organization’s endowment from its pre-campaign level of approximately $7 million.

The campaign’s progress has been fueled by transformational seven-figure commitments, including a $3 million gift from The Henry and Etta Raye Hirsch Heritage Foundation and a $2.5 million gift from the Bunzl Family Foundation. Each gift will be recognized with new naming opportunities and signal deep confidence in the organization’s mission, leadership, and long-term impact.

This milestone reflects growing philanthropic confidence in JF&CS’s long-term vision. The organization is pairing strong annual operations with a disciplined investment strategy that ensures stability, flexibility, and preparedness during times of disruption.

“This campaign is about ensuring JF&CS can continue to show up for our community no matter the challenge,” said Jay Cranman, chief executive officer. “By strengthening our endowment, we are protecting today’s services while creating the capacity to innovate and respond as community needs evolve.”

Building Durability in a Time of Growth

Since 2019, JF&CS has doubled its annual operating budget to more than $27 million. This expansion has significantly increased its reach and impact across core service areas including aging, mental health, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. This growth has positioned JF&CS as a field-leading human services organization while also underscoring the importance of long-term financial resilience.

The Growth, Innovation & Durability Campaign was launched to address this need. It moves beyond a traditional spend-and-serve nonprofit model toward a balanced approach that sustains excellence today while safeguarding the future.

Endowment resources generated through the campaign will:

• Provide organizational flexibility during periods of economic uncertainty or shifting funding environments
• Enable timely investments in innovation and strategic growth
• Protect the quality and continuity of existing programs without disruption

As part of this focus on long-term resilience, JF&CS has taken thoughtful steps to align its internal operations with its strategic priorities. This includes streamlining administrative functions, reducing redundancy, and directing resources toward high-demand core programs and frontline services. These decisions reflect a commitment to disciplined stewardship and ensure that community investments are used effectively and sustainably.

The Growth, Innovation & Durability Campaign has been shaped by strong leadership across a period of transition. Terri Bonoff, who served as JF&CS CEO for six years, played a pivotal role in launching and advancing the campaign in partnership with the Board, new CEO Jay Cranman, Amanda La Kier, chief advancement officer, and the professional team of Coxe Curry and Associates.

Bonoff’s tenure was marked by visionary growth, including expanded services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and a renewed focus on organizational resilience. In recognition of her impact, JF&CS will honor Bonoff with its Champion of Inclusion Award at The Tasting Experience on Thursday, April 30, at the Stave Room.

With Cranman now at the helm and La Kier continuing to lead philanthropic strategy, the campaign is moving forward with clarity, continuity, and shared purpose.

“This milestone reflects both extraordinary generosity from our donors and a shared commitment to long-term impact,” said La Kier. “Together, we are building the durable foundation JF&CS needs to serve this community today and for generations to come.”

Looking ahead, JF&CS is working toward an endowment goal of $30 million and beyond, a benchmark aligned with peer human services organizations nationally. Reaching this level will help ensure long-term stability, innovation, and readiness in an evolving funding environment. Guided by its enduring promise to the community, hineni, meaning “here I am,” JF&CS remains committed to serving individuals and families through every life stage and circumstance. Please contact alakier@jfcsatl.org to learn more.