The Jewish Community Foundation specializes in unique charitable funds that meet donors’ personal giving goals.
Many community members turn to the Foundation to establish funds that honor or memorialize their loved ones. After her passing last year, the family of Katianne Bordy Tannewald created a memorial fund at the Foundation to continue Katianne’s legacy of brightening the world. They established Katianne’s Sunshine Fund for the Benefit of Special Needs Programming, which provides support to nonprofit organizations serving the local Jewish special needs community.
“Katianne was involved in the community and participated in numerous activities geared to individuals with special needs,” said her cousin Gabbie Fried. “She always talked about these with great joy and excitement, and these activities provided her a great sense of belonging. It is important to create more programs and opportunities so that others can have similarly positive experiences. The fund will allow us to do that.”
“Katianne lit up the room with her smile and enthusiasm,” said her cousin Sandi Fried. “Every time she saw you, she radiated love. That's why it's the sunshine fund.”
The fund recently made two grants to community organizations to help those with special needs. One was for a Shabbat dinner at Torah Learning Center for special needs individuals and their families, and the other supported the purchase of standing desks at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.
“This grant will mean so much to our students who are now able to utilize a standing desk,” said Wendy Snitz, Director of Student Services at HBHA. “Having the opportunity to provide additional resources for our special needs students allows us to better serve them, as well as widen our net of students [that] we are able to provide a Jewish day school experience to. These desks will benefit many students, and I am sincerely grateful for this donation and ability to provide standing desks for HBHA students this coming school year.”
Community members are invited to contribute to Katianne’s Sunshine Fund for the Benefit of Special Needs Programming to help make a positive impact on the special needs community. Those who would like to make a contribution, or nonprofits that would like to apply for a grant from the fund, can contact Beatrice Fine at (913) 327-4618 or .
For more information about opening a memorial fund to honor a special person in your life, contact Josh Stein at (913) 327-8121 or .
