The following is a reprint of the JCF's Money Matters column, published in the December 24, 2024 issue of the Jewish Community Voice, titled 'JCF Planning a Busy First Quarter of 2025':
The first quarter of each calendar year tends to be bustling with activity for the Jewish Community Foundation, Inc., as is the case for 2025. Let’s look at our docket for the next three months, as some activities may be relevant to you:
January: This is a meaningful and exciting month, as it’s typically when we start distributing most of the annual endowment fund payouts to the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey (JFSNJ) and its family of agencies, as well as synagogues, day schools, and other wonderful charitable causes. In all, for 2025, we anticipate providing over $1-million to the Federation and agencies, including the Federation’s JFund Annual Campaign, which will receive an estimated $300,000 from JCF endowment funds as the Federation gears up for Super Sunday/ Community Mitzvah Day on February 2. Thank you to our many philanthropic donors who have established these funds to ensure this vital annual revenue continues for our community.
To learn how you can start an endowment fund of your own to benefit future generations, please contact me today at (856) 673-2571 or dsnyder@jfedsnj.org
February: Get ready for our 28th Annual Florida Reunion! It’s a thrill to be able to reconnect each year with South Jersey natives who now live or winter in southeast Florida. The JCF and Federation are teaming up again to host a diverse lineup of events during the week of February 23 for donors who will be in the area. Gatherings will take place in the Boca Raton/Delray Beach/Palm Beach vicinity, and JCF and Federation leaders will be on hand to provide updates from “back home” in South Jersey.
Contact Federation’s Director of Engagement Melissa Leibowitz at (856) 673-2583 or mleibowitz@jfedsnj.org or visit jewishsouthjersey.org/florida to learn more.
March: Busy month! First, March 7 is the deadline for South Jersey residents to apply for JCF Scholarship Awards to help defray the cost of post-high school education and experiential travel. An estimated total of $40,000 will be awarded to deserving recipients.
Then, March 12 marks the deadline for nonprofits and synagogues serving South Jersey to apply for Spring 2025 JCF Grants, with an estimated $50,000 provided in total. We aim to fund new and innovative programs and services that organizations initiate to benefit SNJ residents.
Of note: JCF Scholarship Awards and JCF Grants are made possible thanks to generous donors who created endowment funds with the JCF to support these noble purposes.
Last but not least, March 31 marks the close of Year Two of the Life & Legacy Plus initiative of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Your legacy gift can help your cherished South Jersey Jewish community organizations earn incentive grants today and receive annual income from your legacy gift to last many generations. Creating your Jewish legacy can be easy to do and can cost nothing during your lifetime.
Contact JCF Assistant Director Mike Staff at (856) 673-2528 or mstaff@jfedsnj.org to learn more or to initiate your legacy gift.
Bonus tip: Before Tax Day on April 15, why not set up a donor advised fund (DAF) with the JCF to help streamline your charitable giving and secure tax benefits for 2025? You can contribute cash to your DAF (or gift appreciated assets to avoid capital gains taxes), earn immediate tax deductions for 2025, and then recommend grants to charitable causes at any future time. Learn more at jcfsnj.org/daf
It’s a busy quarter for the JCF, but we’re never too busy to hear from you! Please reach out with any questions about philanthropy, grants, scholarships, and beyond, and thank you for your support of our incredible South Jersey Jewish community.
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