The Jewish Community Foundation regularly collaborates with local Jewish agencies and synagogues to foster, sustain and ensure a strong and vibrant Jewish community. As part of this effort, on Feb. 18 the Foundation hosted the latest installment of its Parking Lot Lunch series.
During these special events, community leaders network, share best practices and learn from planned-giving and fundraising experts. The recent event was titled “Eisenstein’s Theory of Virtual Relativity” and featured a presentation by Amy Eisenstein, a renowned author, fundraising consultant and development coach.
Eisenstein shared advice for strengthening and growing planned giving, individual giving, and major gifts programs during the pandemic. She emphasized that despite this challenging time, meaningful relationships are being developed and generous gifts are being made.
The event was part of the Create a Jewish Legacy program through which the Foundation provides nonprofit leadership with development training, consulting, customized marketing resources and valuable financial incentives.
The Foundation has trained nearly 250 professionals, lay leaders and clergy with innovative programming. Prior to the pandemic, Parking Lot Lunches took place on the Jewish Community Campus and included an in-person presentation and complementary kosher lunch.
Past events have included “At the Heart of What Matters: Helping Others Fulfill Their Legacy,” a presentation by mentor, guide and motivator Rabbi Daniel Cohen, and “Get Meshuggah with Martha!” an interactive program on legacy gift development and stewardship led by Martha Gershun, consultant, author, and former nonprofit executive. Like many nonprofits, the Foundation has had to pivot and adapt its programming to a virtual format in order to keep its constituents safe.
“As a new director I have appreciated not only the knowledge I gain from JCF’s Parking Lot Lunch Series, but also the community-building,” said Jessica Rockhold, director of Midwest Center for Holocaust Education. “Meeting other people doing this work and building those relationships has been an invaluable opportunity. The fact that JCF prioritized this work in the midst of COVID and made it possible to continue meeting virtually has been a very important part of my continued professional development.”
Though Parking Lot Lunches are primarily offered to communal organizations, leaders from various Kansas City nonprofits like Starlight and AdventHealth Foundation have participated.
The Parking Lot Lunch series is funded through a generous endowment by the late Sam and Lucy Gould and gets its memorable name from Sam’s profession as a parking lot owner. The name also acknowledges the fact that some of the most meaningful communal discourse takes place in the parking lot following meetings.
Twenty communal agencies and synagogues have partnered with the Foundation through the Create a Jewish Legacy program. Nearly $65 million has been realized through legacy gifts and endowment support, and more than $75 million is currently promised in future gifts.
“The Foundation is proud to be a resource to so many worthwhile endeavors and organizations,” said Josh Stein, Jewish Community Foundation director of philanthropy. “Through educational opportunities, stewardship efforts and consulting support, we appreciate our partnership with agencies and synagogues in the community. When it comes to planned giving, the rising tide definitely does lift all boats.”
For more information about the Create a Jewish Legacy program or how you can leave a planned gift to benefit the community, contact Josh Stein at 913-327-8121 or .
