The Jewish Foundation is the planned giving and endowment division of the Jewish Federation as well as a planned giving and endowment resource for the Federation, our agencies and synagogues.

Differing from the UJA-Federation’s annual campaign which allocates all the money raised that is raised, the Jewish Foundation invests principal and distributes a portion of its earnings to support new or existing agencies and programs, meet unforeseen needs and emergencies that may arise in the Jewish community or, in accordance with donors' wishes, make distributions to specific non-profit organizations.

The purpose of the Foundation is to serve as the fiduciary of the Jewish community's endowment funds. An Investment Committee, which is guided by a consultant, meets regularly and monitors performance of several fund managers. The Foundation adheres to a spending policy to ensure that the economic value of the funds is maintained throughout the year. At this time, the value of the fund's assets is over $31 million and over 500 donors have made current or deferred gifts.

You can establish a named endowment fund, charitable gift annuity or charitable trust with the Jewish Foundation, not only to benefit our community, but also to support the causes that are important to you. You can designate that your fund be used to provide unrestricted funds to help meet community needs now and in the future or to endow a permanent fund to aid identified programs, your synagogue, agencies, organizations, or initiatives (Jewish or not Jewish, in Greater New Haven, Israel or beyond) that are of particular interest to you and your family.

During the first three quarters of the fiscal year ending July 31, 2007, new funds established at the Jewish Foundation totaled $1,340,979.83 and contributions to existing funds totaled $1,032,808.65

In addition, during the first three quarters of this fiscal year, the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven distributed over $1,390,000 to qualified charities: to Birthright Israel allowing many New Haven area students a life transforming experience in Israel; to the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven for our local agencies; through our grants process, to our local Jewish agencies and synagogues; from Restricted Funds, to fund the charitable interests expressed by our donors; from donor advised funds, upon the recommendation of donors; and for scholarships to day schools, synagogue schools, Jewish camps and pre-schools.

The Jewish Foundation is the legacy of the New Haven Jewish community. Our PACE funds will perpetuate the Federation’s annual campaign for the next generation. Our funds for synagogues and agencies will allow them to be there for our children and grandchildren.