About the Jewish Community Foundation

For many of us, it began with a modest tzedakah box - perhaps just a tin blue and white pushke. That tzedakah box and the coins we dropped into it for "charity," were our first introduction to Jewish philanthropy. From early childhood, we learned our responsibility to care for other Jews in need.

Today, Jewish philanthropy has evolved far beyond the act of dropping loose change into the pushke. It is a dynamic process which requires careful planning. Now the children who once saved their pennies for tzedakah are actively planning Endowment Gifts and forming Donor Advised Funds to provide a continuing legacy of giving.

The Jewish Community Foundation was established in 1996 to encourage planned giving to build endowments for the Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish community. Planned giving can be a significant tax and estate planning benefit to you and your heirs, while at the same time enriching your life with meaning and the lives of those your gift touches with care, comfort and compassion. Planned giving is a way to continue the good you do in your lifetime, ensuring that it lives forever.

Unlike Federation's Annual Campaign, which is spent in the current year to meet current needs, endowment funds remain in perpetuity. Prudently and professionally invested, the endowments generate income to help meet the changing needs of the Jewish community through the generations.

There are many ways to make planned gifts and many ways in which planned gifts can be used. In every instance, the gift and the use of the gift is tailored to meet the needs and wishes of the donor.

You do not have to be rich to leave a rich legacy. Learn more about planning your legacy, click here.