Jewish National Fund Ranks First For E-Philanthropy Among Jewish Non-Profits

New Website to Bring in $1 Million in Revenue

(New York,June 30, 2003) - Using a combination of e-philanthropy techniques, including a new Website with customized and personalized content, localized e-mails and a sophisticated on-line store, Jewish National Fund ranked first for on-line fundraising in 2002 among Jewish organizations, according to Ken Markus, Manager of Internet Business Technology at AOL Time Warner and Internet Chairman on JNF's Marketing Committee. The current pace of online fundraising will raise $1 million in 2003 for the internationally respected environmental organization.

JNF jumped to the head of the line among Jewish non-profits with new technological capabilities. JNF's newly designed Website has added functionality and 10 times more content than its old site. Monthly e-mail newsletters targeting JNF's 100,000+ e-mail database are localized for JNF's 22 regions to provide more targeted messages. Tracking features enable JNF to see how many of the e-mail newsletters are opened, what and from whom the many donations came from as a result of the email, and which links in the emails are the most popular with recipients. JNF e-newsletters are opened at a rate of 34 percent, significantly higher than the industry standard.

A bridge was built in order to synchronize JNF's offline database with its online database. This bridge technology is complex and many for-profit companies grapple with solutions on how to properly synchronize their databases while not damaging their data integrity. Finally, JNF launched an affiliate program offering commissions to other Jewish or Israel oriented Websites that drive sales to JNF's Website.

JNF.org is receiving an average of 56,000 hits per day since the new Website was launched in early February, a 10-fold increase over last year, creating many more opportunities to raise awareness about JNF's work and to raise money through e-philanthropy. Visitors to the site can order JNF's signature Blue Boxes (charity collection boxes), purchase a tree or other JNF products, obtain information about JNF missions to Israel, or order special occasion invitations.

"By communicating more often with our donors and sharing pertinent information about our work in Israel and in the United States, we are continuously keeping them informed, raising their awareness levels and providing them with opportunities to become more involved with the organization," said Chief Executive Officer Russell F. Robinson.

While many non-profits are struggling to raise dollars and awareness online, few have kept up technologically, according to an article in the May issue of the Harvard Business Review. According to the article, the McKinsey Consulting firm said that web-based fundraising could save significant sums of money for non-profits like JNF that have a clear message.

JNF has a proven track record that includes a clear mission statement, guaranteed results, a record of accomplishments, and a time-tested product in their tree certificates that can be ordered online in honor of or in memory of a loved one or for a special occasion. By applying e-commerce applications, JNF is ahead of most non-profits, and has the potential to save its donors hundreds of thousands of dollars in administrative costs.

The new applications place JNF first among Jewish charities. Raising $325,000 online in 2001, JNF ranked second among Jewish charities for online philanthropy, based on a survey published in Chronicle of Philanthropy in June 2002. In calendar year 2002, JNF raised $663,000 online, a 104 percent increase over 2001, placing them first among Jewish philanthropies for online fundraising. For the first five months of 2003, JNF raised $450,000 online. JNF.org is bringing in an average of $3-4,000 per day - double last year's average of $1500 day - to support Jewish National Fund's mission as caretaker of the land of Israel.

"We made the decision at JNF to be aggressive in web based technology, not only raise more money and save administrative costs, but to attract thousands of new donors. As you can see from these results, thousands of new donors who are part of the information highway, are now part of the JNF family," said Ronald S. Lauder, President of JNF.