The Jewish Community Foundation recently unveiled its newly redesigned donor recognition space in the Jewish Community Campus.
Located near the campus’ front entrance, the space showcases a donor wall with several large digital screens and oversized print pieces that display content including videos, comprehensive donor lists and donor stories. The space was formally dedicated at the Foundation’s annual meeting in December.
“This donor recognition space is truly a reflection of the dynamic, innovative and modern organization that is the Jewish Community Foundation,” said JCF Board President Frank Lipsman. “The primary purpose of the donor wall is to publicly recognize our Foundation Family for their many individual acts of generosity and commitment to the sustainability and future growth of our community.”
The Foundation’s first donor wall was introduced in 1998 to honor major benefactors who’d made planned gift commitments to the community through the Foundation. As the Foundation has grown and evolved, so have the constituencies it serves and the lives it has impacted. The new donor wall recognizes Foundation fundholders and program participants of every age, stage of life, and financial capacity.
All Foundation donors are recognized for their generosity and commitment to tikkun olam. Donors recognized on the new donor wall include teen philanthropists giving through their B’nai Tzedek Funds, young adult participants of the J-LEAD giving circle, and many individuals and families supporting charities through Donor Advised Funds or Restricted Funds at the Foundation, and many others.
“Our new space reflects the Foundation’s commitment to honor the generosity of our fundholders,” said Martha Gershun, JCF board member and marketing committee chair. “We hope the entire community will stop by to enjoy this space when they are in the building.”
In addition to honoring philanthropists, the space also serves as an educational tool to showcase the Foundation’s work in the Kansas City Jewish community and beyond. The wall contains graphic and video content that demonstrates the Foundation’s impact, partnerships with nonprofit organizations, philanthropic programs, and strategic giving vehicles. Every week, a new grant recipient organization is highlighted on screen, showing the wide variety of nonprofits supported by Foundation funds. Also included are testimonials by JCF fundholders and partner organizations explaining how the Foundation has enhanced and added value to their charitable giving.
With the donor wall’s new digital technology, the Foundation is able to frequently update content in an economical and environmentally-friendly manner. The screens and graphics also brighten the space.
The donor recognition space also contains the Foundation’s Endowment Book of Life, a growing collection of reflections, histories and hopes for the future expressed by members of the community. The Endowment Book of Life honors those who have made planned gift commitments of $10,000 or more to establish an ongoing connection to the lives of generations to come. Both the physical Book of Life and digital Book of Life kiosk, containing entries from more than 180 individuals and couples, are on display.
The new donor wall was made possible through the support of the Sam & Lucy Gould JCF Program Fund and the Sanford L. Cohn Family Foundation.
