2023

13%

15%

San Diego is notable in that it has a Poverty Working Group who meets regularly and includes: 1. JFS (Jewish Family Services) 2. Kindness Initiative (Gemach) 3.Jewish Free Loan Program 4.Seacreat at Home (Senior Care Services) 5. Jewish Community Foundation (FCF) 6. Hillel 7. Leichtag Foundation (Private Foundation)

https://www.kindnesssd.org/report-on-poverty-in-sd-jewish-comu/ https://sdjewishblueprint.squarespace.com/s/SD_JCS_summary_report_spreads.pdf https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/jewish-family-service-of-san-diego%2C951644024/ https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/other-sources/article/?id=15150289&title=Jewish-Family-Service-San-Diego-CEO-Retiring https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/951319015 https://jcfsandiego.org/about/financials-investments/financials/

• JFS in San Diego is the largest Jewish human service agency in the country with a strong development team of its own leading the way. ◦ JFS Major Funders: $60M budget, with 30% coming from individual donors. ◦ Three years ago, Federation prioritized local poverty by reallocating funds from overseas poverty to local initiatives. ◦ $350,000 allocated annually to local programs, including $100K to Kavod Shef. ◦ $100K per year allocated to the Community Fund for financial support. ◦ The fund provides grants to organizations that deliver direct support. ◦ Initially focused on seniors but expanded to increase accessibility. ◦ Provided an additional $10,000 to direct service organizations in recognition of their efforts and finds other strategic ways to invest in data collection and other support.

•JFS San Diego partnered with their local government to implement programs such as the San Diego for Every Child Guaranteed Income Program, distributing $1.725 million to 150 families to provide $500 monthly cash payments over 24 months. •JFS San Diego partnered with their local government to implement programs such as the San Diego for Every Child Guaranteed Income Program, distributing $1.725 million to 150 families to provide $500 monthly cash payments over 24 months. •19% of all Jewish households reported that their financial situation limited their participation in Jewish life. ◦ Those who are financially struggling were more likely (58%) to report financial barriers to participation in Jewish life. ◦ About one quarter of this group felt unwelcome at Jewish activities, as compared to only 4% of those who are well off. ◦ Those ages 18-34 were most likely (30%) to say their financial situation limited their Jewish life. • Among all Jewish adults, 42% feel a great deal of belonging to the Jewish people overall. However, only 11% feel a great deal of belonging to the San Diego Jewish community. ◦ Community Study identified conditions that limit or welcome participation in the local community: "Too expensive" (identified by 20% of the community) is tied for #3 on the list following "Don't know many people" (43%), "Haven't found Jewish activities that interest me" (37%), and "Too expensive" is tied with "Not confident in your Jewish knowledge (both with 20%)." •One quarter of Jewish households in San Diego include a member whose work, school, or activities are limited by a chronic health issue, special need, or disability. ◦ Among households who are financially struggling, this proportion increases to nearly half (46%). ◦ Among financially struggling adults, 22% felt lonely often or all of the time in the previous week. • Seven percent (7%) of all Jewish households in San Diego were unable to afford a basic necessity in the past year (2022-23). (A basic necessity is rent, food, medicine, utilities). ◦ Among those who identify as "struggling" nearly 50% were unable to afford at least one necessity. • Among all San Diego Jewish households, 6% said they were unable to pay in full an unexpected $400 emergency expense. • Nine percent (9%) of all Jewish households make less than 250% of the Federal Poverty Line. ◦ 19% make less than 80% of the Area Median Income (which is defined as "low income" for San Diego county. • Seventeen percent (17%) of adults ages 41 and older are not at all (5%) or not too (12%) confident in their ability to afford retirement. ◦ 72% of those who identify themselves as "struggling" are not confident in their ability to afford retirement. • The majority of people who identify themselves as financially struggling have Bachelors and Graduate degrees. ◦ The majority of single parents who identify themselves as financially struggling have Graduate degrees.