You know your financial situation better than any scale could ever measure* 

FAIR SHARE SELF-ASSESSMENT 

This is a short quiz to help you determine your fair share. It's totally anonymous and does not get submitted to or read by anyone but you. There are so many elements of class and access that are not included in these few questions, so please just use this as a general guide to think about your access to resources (or lack thereof) and make an honest and self-loving evaluation.  

NOTE: As you read through, jot down your answer for each question on a piece of paper, so you can examine it at the end.

1. GENERAL EXPENSES/STANDARD OF LIVING 

1. I can cover my basic needs and plenty of extras, I take multiple vacations, time off, may own/rent a higher-end home/car, I am able to easily access Jewish community for myself and/or afford Jewish education for my child(ren)/grandchild(ren), I am able to donate comfortably to causes that matter to me  
2. I can cover my basic needs and regular extras, I take an annual vacation without financial burden, my debt does not prohibit attainment of basic needs, I am able to access Jewish community for myself and/or afford Jewish education for my child(ren)/grandchild(ren), I am able to donate modestly to causes that matter to me 
3. I can cover my basic needs and occasional extras, I have enough savings to cover three months of expenses, I actively save to afford a holiday, I save and budget to access Jewish community for myself and/or Jewish education for my child(ren)/grandchild(ren), I sometimes can donate a small sum to one or two causes that matter to me 
4. I can cover my basic needs and nothing else, I have limited financial savings, I struggle to afford reliable transportation, I rely on discounts to access Jewish community for myself and scholarships to pay for Jewish education for my children 
5. I struggle to cover my basic needs, I sometimes skip necessities, use government assistance programs, have debt that prohibits my basic needs, my housing may be insecure or low quality, I use scholarships or am often unable to access Jewish community for myself and/or Jewish education for my children.
    

2. ANNUAL INCOME 

When thinking of your annual income, consider employment income, interest, dividends, Social Security, IRA, pension, 401(k), rental income, business profits, etc. 

1. Household annual income over $150,000, or individual income over $100,000
2. Household annual income between $100,000 and $250,000, or individual income between $75,000 and $100,000. 
3. Household annual income between $75,000 and $100,000, or individual income between $50,000 and $75,000. 
4. Household annual income between $50,000 and $75,000, or individual income between $30,000 and $50,000. 
5. Household annual income less than $50,000, or individual income less than $30,000. 
    

3. CAREER (if applicable) 

1. My career is stable and moving forward 
2. My career is stable 
3. My career is unstable or I don't have a career but will in the future 
4. I have a job, not a career 
5. I am underemployed or rely on temporary gigs 
    

4. STUDENT LOANS (if applicable) 

1. My loans are paid off or I went to school without loans 
2. I am paying student loans for professional / post-secondary education in my current field 
3. I am playing student loans and most people in my family have higher education 
4. I am paying student loans and I'm the first person in my family to go to college 
5. Was unable to pursue post-secondary education due to finances 
    

5. MY FAMILY OF ORIGIN HAS ASSETS SUCH AS 

1. Investments / multiple properties 
2. A home that is paid off / retirement income 
3. A home that they're paying for 
4. No assets or no access to family of origin 
5. My family of origin requires my financial help 
    

6.IMPACT OF IDENTITIES

1. My race, ethnicity, gender, ability or other identities positively impact or does not impact my income 
2. Mostly 1
3. Somewhere in the middle 
4. Mostly 5
5. My race, ethnicity, gender, ability or other identities negatively impact my income 

7. IMPACT OF CBI ON YOUR LIFE 

1. CBI plays a big role in my and my family’s spiritual and/or social nourishment. It’s a cornerstone of my faith, community, and moral support 
2. I/my family attend weekly services and classes at CBI, and it's an important part of our weekly routine and social life 
3. I/my family enjoy attending CBI events and social gatherings and it connects me to my Jewish identity and community 
4. I/my family engage for only for High Holidays or might not step foot on campus very often, but I am glad CBI is there when I need it 
5. CBI could close tomorrow, and it would not change anything about my/my family’s life 
    

NOW GO BACK THROUGH THE ANSWERS AND SEE HOW MANY OF EACH LETTER YOU CIRCLED 

Note: If you are able, please consider a household pledge of at least $2,460/year or $205/month. This is the median pledge needed to support CBI for 2024-2025.