The PJ Library

Q: Why is the Opportunity Match a three year program?
A: The goal of The PJ Library is to deepen identities of Jewish families and their relationship to the Jewish community. We have implemented a three-year minimum to ensure that each community can experience the greatest potential impact of the program.

Q: Does all of the funding need to be in place for the application to be approved?
A: Fundraising is an ongoing process. The first year’s estimated budget should be in place, at the very least. Applications will be considered based upon a community’s commitment to offering and funding the program for the first three years.

Q: Can we ask parents to contribute to The PJ Library program?
A: The PJ Library program is FREE for all families who wish to subscribe. Community members may be asked to help support The PJ Library program in your community by making donations to the implementing partner’s PJ Library fund. Donation to the program cannot be used as an eligibility requirement.

Q: How do families renew their subscriptions?
A: The PJ Library is intended to remain free for subscribing families. At the end of a participant’s first year in the PJ Library program , that subscription will be automatically rolled over to continue into the second year, and the local implementing partner will be billed $40 (HGF will continue to underwrite an additional $14 per child). Before this automatic renewal happens, the Implementing Partner will review the renewal list to remove names of any participants who have moved out of the area, or exceeded the age limit of the program.

At the end of the second year, families of participants will be contacted and welcomed to renew their children’s free subscription(s). Those families who choose to renew will be invited to make a donation to the program, so that the community can offer free subscriptions to an even greater number of families.

Q: Our community is most interested in reaching unaffiliated families and would like to reserve our funding for that population. Can we do that?
A: No. Your community must offer The PJ Library to all Jewish children in your community. Our experience has shown that the best way to reach unengaged families is through engaged families, and we are confident that registering any child, regardless of organizational affiliation, will reach unengaged families in the long run.

Q: How do we receive our Staff Subsidy grant funding?
A: If your community has applied and been approved for a matching staff subsidy grant, the Implementing Partner organization will receive two checks per year, after approval of biannual staff reports

Q: How do we receive our marketing allowance?
A: Your marketing allowance is a fund at HGF that is based upon the number of children you hope to enroll in the first year, at $5 per child. We will deduct the cost of printing from your marketing allowance; you may also be reimbursed if you purchase advertising space or materials locally.

Q: What if our community, after great effort, is unable to find funding for children on a waiting list?
A: The PJ Library staff will consult with your community to develop fundraising strategies.

Q: We have a part-time staff person whose job will expand to incorporate administering The PJ Library. Can we use The PJ Library staff subsidy funds for the growth of this position?
A: Yes, so long as the part of this person’s job that is specific to The PJ Library is clearly documented.

Q: What book is sent out for the community-wide mailing?
A: The current community-wide mailing book is Something From Nothing by Phoebe Gilman. This is subject to change.

Q: Who receives the community-wide mailing?
A: The community-wide mailing goes to all full lists of community members that exist (Federation, JCC, etc.). This informs the entire community about The PJ Library and empowers every member to spread the word about the program. Nationally we have found word-of-mouth to be a powerful recruitment tool.

Q: What will the community-wide mailing cost our community and how much work will it entail?
A: The PJ Library will pay for the cost of the mailing, including the printing of the letter, the cost of postage, the cost of the book and the enclosed registration materials. Your responsibility is to provide us with your letterhead and community mailing lists. The mailing will be sent in PJ Library envelopes with your return address and your gift tagline so it will appear to come directly from you.

Q: When will our community-wide mailing go out?
A: Once all eligibility requirements have been met and applications approved, the Implementing Partner will receive instructions and templates for the community-wide mailing. The sooner the letter and mailing lists are finalized, the sooner a community can be entered into the queue of mailings to communities. Please be aware that it can take 8 weeks or more from the time materials are finalized to the time a mailing can “drop”. Factors such as how large your mailing lists are, and even the time of year can greatly effect the turn around time.