Assisting agencies and Jewish entities, here's JCA's goals and objectives

During this year, The Heritage will run a half page insertion in every issue featuring an organization that has partnered with the Jewish Capital Alliance of Central Florida to attain its chartered goals. Over the coming year, The Heritage will pen four articles highlighting this relatively unrecognized organization. The first article appeared in July and described how JCA came into being. Today's article will discuss JCA's goals and directives.

At the initial community introductory meeting on Oct. 4, 2011, the Jewish Capital Alliance described to the community the basis for its creation:

"... that this windfall should be used for the long term, multi-generational support of our Orlando Jewish Community. ... (that) we could "assist" our Jewish institutions in providing for their own capital and programming expansion, in a responsible, business-like basis. ... (that) a group of experienced businesspeople, who understood the needs of our Jewish community ... could objectively assist our not-for-profits from both an advisory and a financial standpoint. The ultimate goal would be the use of our resources to provide below market-rate loans, crafted to be both responsive and affordable to our Jewish Institutions."

The Jewish Capital Alliance's most poignant directive is to provide for Jewish community longevity. The JCA leadership understood that Jewish community functions and thrives thru strong, stable institutional development. Identity within is created thru programming, involvement with other Jews and Jewish institutions, and by cultivating a recognition of Jewish identity. None of this can occur unless Jewish institutions are able to function, expand to meet the needs of their membership, and provide programming under their chartered auspices. It is the purview of Jewish Capital Alliance to provide support and guidance to each of the subject institutions in order to enhance their opportunities for growth, stability and longevity.

JCA attains these goals by staying true to its "directives." First, JCA does not involve itself with the internal programming of any Jewish institution. JCA makes no demand on any of its constituents to enact, represent, or otherwise involve JCA in whatever the chartered direction of these organizations may be. The only requirement for JCA's assistance or involvement is the affirmation that the not-for-profit entity is, in fact, established as a "Jewish" institution. "Jewish" may be defined as a social or social services entity such as a Jewish Community Center or a Hillel facility. It may be as a chartered agency of the Jewish Federation, such as Jewish Family Services or the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center. It may be an educational facility such as the Orlando Torah Academy or the Jewish Academy of Orlando. Or, it may be a synagogue or related facility such at Congregation Beth Am, Chabad, Orlando Torah Center, or any of the legacy synagogues within greater Orlando. Effectively Jewish Capital Alliance has no limitation in its support, other than the definition of the assistive entity as "Jewish."

The "directives" embedded in the Jewish Capital Alliance originate from within its formulative documents. The July 15, 2011 adopted Investment Policy Statement outlines the guidance for investment and protection of the JCA asset base. Originally chartered with its $1.739MM share from the sale of the "Oakmonte" property, that asset base has now climbed to over $3MM by virtue of conservative, consistent and professional guidance, and philosophical discipline. The Code of Ethics, Conflict of Interest, Whistleblower Policies, Grantmaking guidelines, Openness and Disclosure, all adopted shortly after JCA's Incorporation in May 2010, affirm the commitment of its Board of Directors to the sanctity of its Mission and loyalty to its constituency, pursuant to its Bylaws: that Jewish Capital Alliance will be "... operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educations purpose ..." for the benefit of the Greater Orlando Jewish Community.

The original Board of the Jewish Capital Alliance consisted of seven community members, all with deep ties and involvement to the local Jewish community. Equally important to the organizers, all had a broad basis of general business and banking overview. Four of those members had served either within the commercial banking industry, or as directors of local banks. Three other members were involved with significant commercial business activities. In total, the founding Board provided over 150 years of active business experience combined with a depth of operational understanding of the Orlando Jewish community.

Today's Board of four deeply experienced and active Jewish community banking and business members has magnified JCA's original operational directive of providing immediate low-cost capital to Orlando Jewish entities. If requested or required, Board members will provide "soft" guidance regarding financial management, debt levels, and cash flow requirement of its constituents. The Board's ability to assess its constituents' financials, budgets, and cash flows frequently assist in determining the most affordable and least impactful means to provide productive capital assistance.

Effectively, Jewish Capital Alliance strives to make its resources available to its constituents as easily, productively, and creatively as possible. JCA is a lending operation, but is not like any typical banking relationship in the commercial marketplace. JCA's direct involvement, direction, assistance, and positive desire to enhance our Jewish Community makes it the perfect partner to achieve its goals "... to provide below market-rate loans, crafted to be both responsive and affordable to our Jewish Institutions."

As of this date, Jewish Capital Alliance has issued 29 loans totaling over $3.5MM, as well as almost $.5MM in community-based grants. In its low-key way, JCA continues to provide advice, direction and assistance to agencies and entities serving the Greater Orlando Jewish community.