The presidents of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City and the Jewish Heritage Foundation of Greater Kansas City have jointly announced that the Jewish Heritage Foundation has become a supporting organization of the Jewish Community Foundation. In making the decision to reorganize itself as a supporting foundation and create a formal affiliation with the Community Foundation, Heritage Board President Merilyn Berenbom said, “As we move forward, we will have the opportunity to significantly increase our grants and further our mission. The Jewish Community Foundation will help us maximize our potential. That will result in much-needed positive dividends in our community.”
Jewish Community Foundation Board President Ron Goldsmith added that, “this affiliation will maximize the core competencies of both organizations and will promote a creative collaborative environment that will enhance grant-making in the Kansas City Jewish community. We look forward to a long and happy partnership.”
As part of this affiliation, Heritage Foundation staff will become employees of the Jewish Community Foundation and will office on the Jewish Community Campus. The move became official on Sept. 19. The Jewish Heritage Foundation may be reached at 913-981-8866.
Since 1959, the Jewish Community Foundation has been at the forefront of charitable giving in Kansas City. The Foundation has partnered with individuals, families and community organizations to help them achieve their philanthropic goals and to increase current and future support for a vibrant and secure Jewish community in Kansas City, Israel and around the world. During fiscal year 2011, the Jewish Community Foundation distributed more than $17.2 million in 2,800 separate grants to different Jewish and secular charitable organizations.
Created in 1994 when Menorah Medical Center joined Health Midwest, the Jewish Heritage Foundation remains deeply committed to Menorah’s tradition of healing and compassionate service. Over the past 16 years, the Jewish Heritage Foundation has distributed more than $37 million, with the majority of the funds going to Jewish agencies and programs.
“Whether we operate as a private foundation or a supporting organization,” Berenbom stated, “we are always Heritage. We will continue to operate with the values that have been inherent in our foundation and our predecessor, Menorah Hospital.”
For more information, contact the Jewish Community Foundation at 913-327-8245 or www.jcfkc.org; or the Jewish Heritage Foundation at 913-981-8866 or www.jhf-kc.org.