JUF Brand

JUF Brand refers to the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago (JUF), the central philanthropic organisation for Chicago's Jewish community and one of the largest nonprofit social welfare institutions in Illinois. Operating for more than 120 years, JUF mobilises over $200 million in philanthropic resources annually, directing them toward food assistance, refuge, healthcare, education and emergency relief. Its services reach 500,000 Chicagoans of all faiths, alongside millions of Jews in Israel and worldwide.

The organisation works largely through a funding network rather than direct service delivery alone. It allocates funds to more than 70 affiliates and beneficiary agencies and supports a network of over 100 agencies, schools and initiatives spanning social services, healthcare, Jewish education, community security and international relief. Allocations are set through a structured planning process involving nearly 200 board and community members, which determines how resources are distributed across the affiliate network.

JUF also runs emergency crisis response and relief investing. Recent responses have covered the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel; over $100 million has been invested in emergency relief since October 2023. Its geographic footprint extends from metropolitan Chicago and the wider state of Illinois to Israel, Ukraine and global humanitarian efforts.

Employees work across areas including philanthropic fundraising, programme allocation, community security, healthcare and education initiatives, and international relief coordination. Lonnie Nasatir has served as president since 2019.