Last month, several Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) fundholders met online for the foundation’s latest Connecting Our Giving Community experience, “The Pandemic Changed Everything: What About Our Giving?” Hosts Janet Mark and Frank Lipsman facilitated the conversation about how the events of 2020 — including COVID-19 and increased awareness of racial justice issues and systemic income inequality – have impacted charitable giving.
“We were impressed by the wide range of organizations people have found to support during the pandemic,” said Lipsman. “Everything from food and shelter, to supporting small business, social justice, and cultural arts. The session confirmed for us that there does not need to be one ‘correct’ way to give during a pandemic, as long as we all commit to supporting our community in some way.”
Many participants shared that they had continued to support their usual favorite charities, but also donated to several additional nonprofits they might not have donated to before.
Funding social service organizations was a priority of many, as well as supporting charities that typically rely on earned income such as memberships or ticket sales.
Organizations serving urban and minority communities, and those working to strengthen the electoral process and increase representation in elections were also a large focus. It was noted that though the pandemic may be waning, its impact on the nonprofit community will likely be felt for years to come.
JCF fundholders made a generous contribution to the charitable landscape in 2020. More than $28.5 million was distributed from JCF funds in 5,633 separate grants to 1,181 unique nonprofit organizations last year. Of that amount, nearly $1 million went to a wide range of local and national organizations providing pandemic relief.
“2020 was a unique year in terms of grantmaking,” said Roberta Goller, JCF grants manager. “It’s not unusual to see charitable action in times of need, however, the pandemic response was significantly greater. The challenges of last year really mobilized our fundholders to respond to current events and emerging needs and look for additional ways to make a difference through their philanthropy.”
Connecting Our Giving Community is a series of social and educational experiences organized by JCF fundholders, for JCF fundholders, that brings together charitably minded people to discuss philanthropic topics. Previous events have explored the increasing role of women in philanthropy, and how to create a family legacy plan.
Connecting Our Giving Community experiences are exclusively open to those with JCF donor advised funds, personal charitable giving accounts that simplify giving, increase charitable impact, and offer valuable tax benefits. Hundreds of donor advised funds have been established at JCF by community members of varying ages, financial means and with widely diverse giving interests.
For more information about Connecting Our Giving Community or donor advised funds, contact Josh Stein, JCF director of philanthropy, at 913-327-8121 or .
