Stephen Malkin Chairs JUF’s 2012 Annual Campaign

CHICAGO – Philanthropy and civic commitment are in Stephen Malkin’s blood. And so is the Jewish community.

Malkin chairs the 2012 Annual Campaign of the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, one of the largest annual fundraising efforts in the country. The just-concluded 2011 Campaign raised $78.8 million in what continues to be highly challenging economic times.

The Annual Campaign is the core support for JUF services, providing the largest source of funds for more than 70 programs and agencies addressing hunger, health care, housing, education, assistance for seniors and people with disabilities, employment, rescue, resettlement and other emergency needs. Those services benefit some 300,000 Chicagoans of all faiths, and more than 2 million Jews in Israel and worldwide.

Being the driving force behind that fundraising effort was a challenge Malkin’s father, prominent real estate developer Judd Malkin, took on nearly three decades ago. He chaired JUF’s 1984 Campaign, which broke all records at the time.

Now, despite an economy that has crimped giving while pushing many to seek help for the first time, Stephen Malkin has taken on the task of making sure those escalating needs are met.

“I’m in a fortunate position to help,” he said. “And there are a lot of people who need help. It’s truly a privilege to serve in this role.”

JUF, which has been helping Chicago and its Jewish community for 112 years, does an incredibly effective job of meeting a wide array of needs, Malkin said. But it also provides a great service and value to donors. JUF is rated “4 Stars – Exceptional” by Charity Navigator, and has fundraising costs of just a nickel on the dollar, he said. “So donors can be confident their contributions are having the greatest possible impact, without having to seek out and vet each individual agency providing services.”

JUF President Steven Nasatir said Malkin’s leadership will be critical to this year’s Campaign.

“Chairing the Annual Campaign is a major undertaking at any time,” Nasatir said. “But in recent years, the challenge has become far greater. Steve Malkin is doing a fantastic job making certain this community has the resources to help those, here and around the world, who most need our help.”

Professionally, Malkin is President of Ranger Capital Management, and a retired partner of Grosvenor Capital Management. As a volunteer, in addition to chairing JUF’s 2012 Campaign, Malkin is a Vice Chairman of the JUF/Jewish Federation Board, and previously chaired its Government Affairs Committee.

He also sits on the Advisory Board of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, the Illinois Executive Committee of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), and the Advisory Board of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. He is a former board member of New Trier Township High School District 203.   

Malkin, his wife and children live in the northern suburbs.