“I found a fruitful world because my ancestors planted it for me. Likewise, I am planting for my descendants.”
– Talmud Ta’anit 23a
Make a difference, grow your impact, & build the Jewish future.
At the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Seattle, a program of your Federation, you are building the Jewish future, one fund and legacy gift at a time. The Foundation manages over $80 million in assets as a trusted partner to philanthropists who want to give through a Jewish lens. As a center for Jewish philanthropy, the Foundation acts as a catalyst and facilitator for donors like you to engage in the Jewish value of tzedakah (giving justly) by matching your interests with opportunities to support causes locally, in Israel, and around the world.
By opening a fund with us, you will join philanthropists across the community who give to causes they care about most, Jewish and non-Jewish alike. At the same time, by maintaining your fund with the Foundation, you’ll support the Federation’s work to build a vibrant future for the Puget Sound Jewish community.
We all want to leave the world a better place than we found it. By supporting the causes closest to our hearts, our collective impact can help repair the world, epitomizing the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repairing the world). Whether you want to fund innovation, give to a specific cause now or through a permanent endowment, establish a scholarship, or contribute to one of our Special Initiative Funds, we provide you with the valuable tools and expertise to make your charitable giving easy, fulfilling, and impactful.
Granted to Jewish and non-Jewish organizations over the last 10 years
Grants given in Fiscal Year 2022 to support 230 organizations, valued at over $4.5 million
Five-year annualized investment performance of the Federation’s Balanced Growth Strategy as of April 30, 2023
Legacy gifts cultivated through the Life & Legacy® program, representing $16.3 million in expected future legacy gifts to our Jewish community organizations
The Community Foundation Committee’s volunteers contribute their time and strategic advice to grow the Foundation and our impact in the community.
Chair: David Stiefel
The Foundation’s investments are overseen by our dedicated Investment Committee volunteers.
Chair: Jack Almo
The Foundation’s community grants are overseen by our Special Initiatives Fund Committee volunteers.
Chair: Allix DeGraff
You are in good hands with a professional staff that is here to help you make the changes you want to see in the world. We welcome the opportunity to talk with you about how we can be your partner in supporting your philanthropic goals and building your lasting legacy.
Rachel Rosenman
Legacy Development Manager
rachelmr@jewishinseattle.org
206.774.2220
Pronouns: she/her
Emilia Picklesimer
Foundation Operations Specialist
emiliap@jewishinseattle.org
206.774.2218
Pronouns: they/them
Simplify your giving by consolidating it into a charitable fund with us and receive one tax receipt. You’ll receive personalized service to support your giving and convenient online access to your fund. We can also help you convert your private foundation to a donor-advised fund with us, taking on the administrative hassle so that you can focus on the important part: giving to the causes that matter most to you.
One hundred percent of our competitively priced tiered administrative fees support the Federation’s work to build a vibrant and thriving Jewish community. Additionally, a Foundation-administered donor-advised fund can provide most of the advantages of a private foundation without the associated administrative hassle and with significant cost savings.
The Foundation has deep roots in the Puget Sound Jewish community. That means you can be sure your fund will be here for generations to come. As a regional center for Jewish philanthropy, the Foundation acts as catalyst and facilitator for current and prospective donors to engage in giving justly (tzedakah) by matching their philanthropic interests with needs locally, in Israel, and around the world. We work with a variety of community nonprofits and can connect you with quality programs and organizations that interest you.
We can help you in many ways:
Our investment portfolio and strategy options are managed by our Investment Committee, dedicated Jewish community leaders with broad knowledge and long experience in the investment field. The Committee employs expert advisers from SEI, a leading investment services company, who recommend fund managers and administer the Foundation’s portfolio. The Investment Committee reviews performance quarterly and recommends adjustments as needed. The Foundation offers a range of investment pools to meet your philanthropic goals and intended time horizon for giving.
The Federation’s Special Initiatives Fund supports community programs and organizations to meet the evolving needs of our Puget Sound Jewish community. We do this through three community grantmaking programs: Ignition Grants, Small Agency Sustainability Grants, and Women’s Endowment Fund Grants. Click on the links above to learn more about the Federation’s community grants and to see the range of programs and organizations we support through the Special Initiatives Fund.
Jewish values are the foundation of everything the Federation does to serve our community. We vet all grants to ensure they are consistent with our values and our mission to lead a strong Jewish Puget Sound by serving as a community voice, strengthening connections to Israel and World Jewry, and making investments in Jewish life, for today and the next generation.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Copyright © 2024 Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. All rights reserved.
