The Jewish Federation is responsible for giving direction to its constituent agencies for various community planning projects such as purchase of property, building expansion, moving to a new site, etc. This results from the Federation having a global view of the community and operating out of the best interests of the total community, rather than the interests of any one particular organization.

As required, consultants from outside the community, usually United Jewish Communities, are contacted in order to provide, not only an objective view, but a sense of what is taking place throughout the country where similar situations might exist.

Once determinations are made, the Federation remains available to consider special grants that will be required for the new project and many such grants have been made by the Federation for innovative programs, facilities and expansion.

Another aspect of Community Planning is the requirement that agencies not conduct major fund-raising campaigns without prior approval by the Federation. This is to prevent a convergence of several major fund-raisers in the community at the same time, invariably reaching out to many of the same people. Further, campaigns by constituent agencies are to be conducted after the annual UJA campaign, which usually extends, from September through December.