Mission

The Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago is the largest not-for-profit social welfare institution in Illinois and the central address of Chicago's Jewish community. JUF provides critical resources that bring food, refuge, health care, education and emergency assistance to 300,000 Chicagoans of all faiths and two million Jews around the world. JUF/Federation funds a network of nearly 70 agencies and programs that care for people at every stage of life, regardless of the ability to pay. Since 1900, JUF/Federation has worked to give voice to the community, and to assure that necessities are provided for its most vulnerable members—children, immigrants, the poor, the elderly and the disabled.

Services

JUF-funded agencies offer a dynamic menu of services that support people at every stage of life. This state-of-the-art network offers everything from respite care for families of children with disabilities to community-based services that allow seniors to live independently in their own homes. In addition, JUF supports local Jewish educational institutions, helping to provide a vibrant Jewish education to the next generation.

Fundraising

With combined fund raising expenses of 6.5 pennies on the dollar, JUF/Federation has among the very best non-profit cost ratios in the nation. JUF and its partner agencies are continually searching for new ways to maximize resources and increase the system's ability to respond to human needs.

Tradition

Jewish tradition calls upon every individual to contribute to the welfare of the less fortunate. For more than 100 years, members of Chicago's Jewish community have chosen JUF/Federation as the central address for fulfilling this commandment. Chicago's Jewish community demonstrates unparalleled commitment to caring for the most vulnerable people in our midst, with the highest per capita giving of any of the largest cities in the U.S.

Volunteerism

JUF's TOV Volunteer Network provides hands-on volunteer opportunities for people of all ages to actively participate in tikkun olam, the repair of the world. Working with local congregations and JUF's network of partner agencies, TOV links more than 15,000 community members with projects throughout the year. Throughout JUF's network of partner agencies, volunteers annually contribute more than 210,000 hours to this community, a donation valued at some $3.7 million.

Youth

One of Judaism's central tenets is the importance of passing traditions and teachings from generation to generation. JUF has a deep commitment to engaging our community's youth and inspiring their Jewish journeys, supporting a host of informal education and outreach experiences for young people that strengthen their Jewish identity and connections to community.