Alabama 13 TV had a nice report Tuesday night on The Birmingham Jewish Federation's forum on our state's new immigration law. The forum, held earlier Tuesday evening and hosted by The BJF's Jewish Community Relations Coalition, brought together speakers who provided different perspectives on our state's controversial new immigration law.

Despite threats of bad weather, the forum was well attended and The BJF thanks both the panelists and audience for coming and participating in a successful and educational evening.

Everyday in so many ways, through Update and other venues, The BJF brings people from throughout our community together, enhancing communication and understanding, and helping to build a better Alabama for all of us. As always, we thank those who contribute to our BJF Campaign. Your dollars provide the organizational structure, staffing and funding that allow us to do this important work.

By Richard Friedman, Executive Director

I love fundraising. I really do. I think it's the greatest profession in the world and I never get tired of it. As the Executive Director of The Birmingham Jewish Federation, I get to do a lot of it. It's a great way to spend one's life -- encouraging people to share their resources to help better the world.

I've never had one of our BJF volunteers join me in a fundraising solicitation -- one where the donor has been open, thoughtful, participatory and inclined to consider what we were asking -- without that volunteer walking away uplifted. Even when you don't get the monetary results you are seeking, the experience often is empowering and can lift all to a better place.

Lately, however, I am noticing something new. More people are giving us money without us even having to ask.

Not too long ago, for example, our BJF Campaign Chair Randi Landy and I met with a warm and generous husband and wife who last year had committed $40,000 to our campaign. We had suggested to them that they simply recommit for that amount given how generous they've been the past few years. They turned us down -- they increased to $50,000.

A family who lives in California who receives our BJF Update sent us $2500 simply because they like what we do.

Particularly touching was a check and handwritten note we received from a Birmingham woman who isn't Jewish. She's become familiar with our BJF work through Facebook and has Jewish friends. She sent us $500, with this note: "Please find enclosed a contribution to The BJF to honor all of my wonderful Jewish friends, and also out of respect for all that you do."

A brand new member of our community, who has become connected to The BJF and who we helped out with an item, gave us a $60 check, which was not necessary.

A long-time community member, who had not given to The BJF for a while, stopped by to write a check for $250. We've also become connected with her through Facebook. "I'm not sure what all y'all do, but I do know that I want to be part of it and would like to learn more," she said as she wrote her check.

And not too long ago, I was having coffee with a prominent leader from the broader Birmingham community, a well known figure who I had connected with as well on Facebook. Two-thirds into the conversation he asked me, "What would you like to approach me for?"

"Nothing," I told him, explaining that I just wanted the opportunity to meet him. (We've had coffee again since then and have now put it as a regular date on our calendars.)

"WORRY ABOUT THE PEOPLE"

Fundraising is counter-intuitive at times. Sometimes it really is "the less you ask, the more you'll get." I also preach to our staff, "Worry about the people; don't worry about the money."

Or it may be what a younger member of our community told me: "So many of the organizations I am involved in ask me for money all the time; the Federation doesn't -- and you are the organization that's supposed to ask us for money!"

Part of the reason we can do this is that we fundraise from a position of strength. We don't struggle to make ends meet; we are a strong, financially successful organization, with diversified revenues and a commitment to live within our means.

Additionally, we only increase expenses as a last resort -- not as a first resort -- and only when we have a confidence that we will get a meaningful bang for our buck and advance our mission.

Fundraising has fascinated me for 30 years and I literally gain at least one new insight every week. What's happening now intrigues me -- and is wonderful validation for what we do.

What better week than this week -- Thanksgiving week -- to say thanks to all of our donors; we remain grateful for your generous support, everyday in so many ways.