The Final Stretch: Why Your Gift to the 2026 Annual Campaign Matters Now More than Ever

We're heading into the final quarter of 2026 — the most important stretch of the year for the Jewish Federation of Nashville's Annual Campaign. More than half of our annual gifts traditionally arrive between now and December 31, and this year is no exception. Last year's campaign closed at $2.628 million; our goal for 2026 is $2.85 million, and thanks to the generosity of more than a thousand donors across our community, we've already passed the halfway mark. 

Halfway isn't enough, though, and here's why it matters. A gift to the Annual Campaign doesn't fund one program — it funds all of them. It keeps tuition assistance flowing for Jewish daycare, preschool, day school, and summer camp. Areas where rising costs have opened a real and growing funding gap, one that tuition alone can't close. It pays for security to protect our institutions, our children, and our seniors, and it sustains the network of partner agencies that makes Jewish Nashville what it is. Last year we closed our best campaign finish since 2008 — proof of what this community can do once we ask. 

Consider the scale of what we're supporting. Nashville's Jewish community has grown to roughly 16,500 people, and the Annual Campaign touches nearly all of them in one way or another. Yet even with more than 1,200 generous donors, we haven't reached 10 percent of participation. That gap, not the dollar total, is what keeps us up at night: too many households who could give, and who'd benefit from a stronger Jewish Nashville, simply haven't been asked yet. 

Here's the encouraging part: a meaningful share of this year's gifts have come from donors who are new to giving, or who haven’t given in years. When we ask people why they stopped, the answer is almost always the same, nobody asked. 

Consider this your ask. Whether it's your first gift or your 50th, whether it's $18 or a six-figure commitment, every gift moves us closer to the community we want to leave for the next generation. Some of this year's most meaningful gifts have come from teachers, librarians, and clergy — people giving a real share of what they have because they believe in what the Federation makes possible.  

The pandemic also left many households harder to reach. If your information has changed, let us know. We don't want to lose touch.  

To the donors who have stood with us year after year, thank you. Your continued trust in the Federation, and in your fellow community members who help decide how these dollars are allocated, is the foundation this entire system rests on. And to the volunteers who give their time and talent to our events and missions, you make this campaign possible in ways no dollar figure can capture. 

The Annual Campaign secures this year; planned and designated giving secures the years ahead. Fewer than one in eight of us have made a giving plan for the organizations we care about most, yet our community has already realized $5 million through these gifts, with another $28 million committed for the future. Imagine what we could accomplish if more of us took that step. It's easier than many people think: designate a dollar amount or even 1% of your estate, and choose exactly which organizations benefit. It's one of the most meaningful ways to ensure your values live on for generations. 

People who move here tell us constantly how vibrant and welcoming this community is. That doesn't happen by accident. It happens because enough of us invest in it, year after year. 

So here is our ask: if you've already given to the 2026 Annual Campaign, thank you, and please consider whether you can do a little more before December 31. If you haven't given yet, this is your invitation. A pledge today, even one fulfilled at year's end, helps us plan now for the needs ahead. There's also a practical reason to act soon: we begin finalizing our honor roll in November, and the sooner we hear from you, the easier it is to ensure your name and gift are recorded correctly. No gift is too small to matter, and no household is too new to be part of this effort. 

To give or pledge, contact the Federation office or visit https://www.jewishnashville.or.... Together, we can make this our strongest finish yet, for the 16,500 reasons why it matters. Every gift makes a difference, and we are so grateful for all our donors.