OPT IN to our $3 million fundraising initiative for Oak Park Temple.
Our Goal
$2,125,645
$3 Million
OPT IN for
Oak Park Temple
We are at a critical point in the life of our congregation. Just as earlier members provided for us, we must provide for the next generation. A bright future for our Temple begins when we all OPT IN!
Our Campaign Priorities
OPT IN
For Our Building
The Campaign will replenish loans from the Oak Park Temple Endowment and Building Funds used to replace our failing, 70-year-old boiler with a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient HVAC system.
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OPT IN
For Our Clergy
The Campaign will help Oak Park Temple establish a Clergy Fund to ensure that we have dedicated funding for our spiritual leaders.
Learn More
OPT IN
For Our Future
Let’s invest together and add our link to Oak Park Temple’s remarkable 150-year-old chain. We urge every Temple family to OPT IN with a generous pledge to this important fundraising initiative.
- Pledges can be paid over three years, allowing you to maximize your donation.
- Gifts can be made through cash, credit cards, donor-advised fund grants, transfer of appreciated stock, qualified retirement fund distributions, and, in some cases, through your estate plan.
- A limited number of naming opportunities are available for lead gift donors.
- Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. (Please consult with your tax advisor to determine the optimal way for you to contribute.)
Our Leadership Team
Campaign Co-Chairs
Ali Mandell
Eddie Pont, Immediate Past President
Steering Committee
Deb Holdstein
Sharry Hyman
Laura Kaufman
Matt Tushman
Gary Wainer
Leadership Team
Rabbi Max Weiss
Judy Klem, President
Danielle Sandler, Temple Administrator
FAQs
- The OPT IN Campaign seeks to raise $3,000,000.
- There are two Campaign pillars that were determined based on urgency and congregant feedback:
- Repaying the OPT Endowment Fund for the loans provided for the purchase and installation of a new HVAC system in 2022-23.
- Establishing a Clergy Fund.
- The HVAC System
OPT’s previous HVAC system was outdated and working on borrowed time with replacement parts no longer available. Not only was it inefficient from an energy consumption and cost perspective, but it also did not heat and cool effectively.
In 2021, the Temple learned of a time limited ComED pilot program that included a significant grant to help fund the purchase and installation of a state-of-the-art HVAC system. OPT wanted to take advantage of this opportunity but did not have the funds in its operating budget for this $1 million+ expenditure. The Board voted to borrow from the Temple’s endowment fund.
In addition to the $350,000 ComEd grant, OPT borrowed $1,168,000 from its Endowment Fund, and used $95,000 from its Building Fund to purchase and install a new HVAC system. The Endowment loan was structured to be fully repaid with interest within three years and the Building Fund needs to be replenished.
This repayment is critical not only to meet the terms of the loan but also to fund OPT’s annual operations. The earnings from OPT’s $3 million endowment fund, established several decades ago, provide significant annual support to our operating fund: outside of Community Commitments, the annual endowment distribution represents the largest contribution to our temple’s annual income.
Before the loan, the Endowment Fund provided significant support, in some years over $150,000, to OPT’s operating budget. Having a loan of $1,168,000 outstanding will reduce endowment contributions to our annual operating budget by approximately $60,000. Consequently, it is critical that the Endowment Fund be repaid to rebuild the principal that generates this annual income.
Our new HVAC system is cost-saving and healthier. Smart thermostats have been installed to minimize costs in lesser-used areas. These updates – particularly the improved ventilation – will also allow for a healthier, safer, and more comfortable environment for all of us. Of note, this system:
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- Provides high-efficiency, all-electric heating and cooling systems.
- Uses no fossil fuels, thus fully eliminating carbon emissions from the building.
- Utilizes an advanced heat recovery system to maintain space temperatures in the winter.
- Increases indoor air quality by relying fully on filtered outdoor air.
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- The Clergy Fund
One of OPT’s highest values is to be an inclusive community – allowing all who seek membership to be a part of the Temple. This has been done by offering voluntary annual Community Commitment Contributions, where each household determines the amount it will contribute to help fund synagogue operations. The approach requires extra diligence on the part of the board – the body responsible for maintaining financial sustainability.
As OPT leadership keeps an eye on its finances, anticipating income and costs into the future, it has recognized a need to supplement the Temple’s current income. Community Commitment Contributions, additional donations, and endowment fund earnings will not be sufficient in the future, and an additional income stream is needed to support OPT’s operating budget over the coming years.
With salaries composing the largest portion of the synagogue’s operating budget, the Board decided that it was most critical to ensure funding for a clergy presence at OPT. Therefore, the board has authorized the creation of a Clergy Fund.
The fund is not linked to a particular clergy member or clergy role. It will support whatever clergy configuration is determined by the OPT Board to be appropriate for our congregation based on membership size and affordability.
The Clergy Fund will share some attributes of the general endowment as it will be professionally managed by the same team, and annual payments will be made to the operating budget. These payments will be directed solely to the clergy salary line item. They will include earnings as well as a portion of the fund’s principal.
While the intention of the fund is to maintain adequate support of our clergy in perpetuity, the current Campaign goal ensures funding for the next generation (over 20 years). It is envisioned that continued contributions beyond the Campaign will fortify the Clergy Fund to provide support beyond this time frame.
- Campaign planning began in 2022 with a study to assess community interest and support for a Capital Campaign.
- In 2023:
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- Initial Campaign solicitations began.
- OPT hired Statement Communications to assist with the development of Campaign materials and Evolve Giving Group to work with OPT leadership and staff to manage the Campaign.
- These professionals will also help OPT to establish communications and fundraising practices that will strengthen our ongoing resource development work beyond the Campaign.
- Over the course of the coming months, everyone will be invited to support the Campaign.
- After careful consideration, the Campaign Committee recommended that the Board authorize the Campaign.
- Past and current board and committee members as well as other congregants are volunteering their skills as Campaign committee members.
- 100% of the OPT Board and Campaign Committee has made a Campaign pledge.
- As of January 1, 2024, $1.2 million has been pledged or donated.
- The OPT Board will receive regular Campaign updates.
- The congregation will be updated on the Campaign’s progress in our Annual Reports and through periodic articles in The Messenger.
- It is hoped that every OPT household will make a meaningful financial donation.
- Gifts can be paid over a 3-year pledge period allowing members to maximize their gift.
- Donations can be made through a variety of vehicles that may also provide tax savings, such as donor-advised funds, transfer of appreciated securities, and retirement savings. (Consult your tax advisor to determine the best giving vehicle for your family.)
- In addition to a Campaign donation, OPT members are invited to include the Temple in their will or estate plans.
- A pledge to this Campaign should be in addition to Community Commitments and annual donations.
- All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
- OPT welcomes volunteer support for the Campaign. This could include:
- Hosting a small gathering in your home so congregants can learn about the Campaign, have their questions answered, and be invited to add their support.
- Reaching out to members or friendship groups to invite their Campaign support.
- Donors will receive a written acknowledgment letter. Reminders will be sent to households making multi-year pledges.
- Gifts can be made in honor or in memory of others. Notification notes will be sent.
- All donors will be:
- Publicly recognized in Campaign honor roll lists unless anonymity is requested. (Specific gift amounts will not be published.)
- Recognized on a public recognition display in alphabetical order unless anonymity is requested.
- A limited number of naming opportunities will be available based on gift amounts.
Contact Us
To learn about volunteer opportunities or other ways to get involved in the Campaign, please contact Danielle Sandler at templeadministrator@oakparktemple.org or 708-386-3937.