Jewish Community Foundation Hard at Work with Upcoming Programs

The following is a (belated) reprint of the JCF's Money Matters column, published in the October 1, 2025 issue of the Jewish Community Voice, titled, "Jewish Community Foundation hard at work with upcoming programs":

Leaves are falling, but activity is rising for the Jewish Community Foundation. Here’s what we have in store:

Start Planning Now for Your Year-End Giving

Approximately 45 percent of donations each year are made in November and December to benefit nonprofits nationally. Ahead of any year-end giving that you and your family may be considering, a donor advised fund (DAF) with the JCF may help streamline and enhance your philanthropy while you earn charitable tax benefits. A DAF is your own online giving account where you contribute appreciated assets or cash, earn immediate tax benefits, and then recommend grants to IRA-qualified 501(c)(3) organizations that are close to your heart at any future time, and the JCF does the rest. Additionally, a DAF is particularly important for donors who may be considering “bundling” multiple years of gifts during 2025 before new tax laws take effect for 2026–for more details visit bit.ly/jcftaxbill2025

Questions? Please contact me at (856) 673-2571 or dsnyder@jfedsnj.org I’m happy to talk with you.

Apply for Fall 2025 JCF Grants

Nonprofits and synagogues may apply by Friday, Oct. 24 for funding for new programs and services to benefit Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties. The maximum request amount is $5,000, and an organization may submit multiple applications. An estimated $45,000 will be awarded in total. Learn more and apply at jcfsnj.org/grants

Join Volunteer Mitzvah Day

On Sunday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the JCF will host teens and adults at the New Camden Cemetery (Ferry Avenue and Mt. Ephraim Avenue in Camden) to assist with upkeeping tasks such as raking, cutting back shrubs and vines, updating our online gravestone database, and more. To register (required), visit jcfsnj.org/ncc

Attend JCF’s Legacy Thank You Event

Have you created a Jewish legacy through the Life & Legacy initiative of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, or established an endowment fund with the JCF? If so, please join us for a complimentary event on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Katz JCC. Enjoy light bites, mingling, and a ticket to the Festival of Arts, Books & Culture screening of “Looking UP” at 7 p.m. RSVP is required, visit jcfsnj.org/legacy-thank-you for details. We welcome the opportunity to talk with any community member who is interested in creating their Jewish legacy, which can be easy to do and costs nothing during their lifetime.

Mark Your Calendars to Apply for JCF Scholarship Awards

In late December, the online application form for JCF Scholarship Awards will open, allowing qualified candidates to apply for funding for post-high school education or experiential travel expenses. An estimated $50,000 will be available in total, and the application deadline will be Mar. 6, 2026. This year, we are excited to share that three new awards will be available: The Stuart & Marylee Alperin Jewish Communal Service Professional Development Award, the Branfman Family Scholarship Award, and the Ed & Stacey Rivkin Aspiration Award. More information will be provided about these new awards in coming months. For full details about JCF Scholarship Awards, visit jcfsnj.org/scholarships

Please contact us at the JCF for any questions about your philanthropic goals, or about any of the upcoming initiatives listed here.

As we spend time reflecting during these High Holidays, all of us at the JCF appreciate your generosity in helping others, whether through starting funds at JCF, committing to leaving a legacy, giving tzedakah, volunteering to improve our community, or just doing small, everyday good deeds. You make Southern New Jersey the incredible place to live that it is. Thank you and enjoy a sweet, healthy, and meaningful New Year.

dsnyder@jfedsnj.org