• Founded 190-years-ago by the women of Congregation Mikveh Israel and guided by Rebecca Gratz, the Female Hebrew Benevolent Society remains the oldest, Jewish, charitable organization in continuous existence in the United States.
• The Society is overseen by a board of 13 managers who act in a volunteer capacity, assuming responsibility for administration and most overhead.
• Cases are considered on a revolving basis with requests filled as the treasury permits. Referrals come from Jewish agencies throughout the community.
• During the fiscal year 2007-2008, over $117,000 was distributed to 206 unduplicated clients. Overhead was less than $3,500.
• The sixteenth annual giving campaign raised $30,898, with contributions from 190 donors.