What is the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven?

The Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven is a primary, trusted and expert resource for charitable gift planning and endowments and serves as a philanthropic resource for the Jewish community. The purpose of the Foundation is to serve as the fiduciary of the Jewish community's endowment funds as well as to serve as a philanthropic advisor to Jewish donors, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, local agencies and synagogues.

In the past fiscal year ending July 31, 2009, the Foundation received over $3.7 million in donations and 27 new funds were established. Most importantly, in the past fiscal year, the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven distributed over $1.4 million to qualified charities.

As of December 31, 2009, the Foundation portfolio totaled over $30 million. Our endowment and services include: (1) Custodial accounts and endowment management and investment services for agencies and synagogues; (2) Donor Advised/Philanthropic Funds; (3) Restricted Funds; (4) Unrestricted Funds; (5) Charitable Trusts and Annuities; and (5) Planned giving opportunities for donors, agencies and synagogues. All of these are more fully discussed in the Foundation’s marketing materials as well as the most recent Annual Report.

Despite continued economic uncertainty, in 2009, the Foundation’s managed portfolio had a rate of return of 22.2%. The conservative and expert investment strategy and long-term outlook employed by the Foundation’s Investment Committee in consult with the Foundation’s outside independent consultant, has meant that much of the endowment has and will recover from 2008 losses. In addition, the Foundation’s long-term approach to endowment spending has sought to maintain and grow each endowment fund while providing the beneficiary organization with guaranteed and consistent distributions

The Jewish Foundation is the legacy of the New Haven Jewish community. Our PACE and LOJE 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.

The Foundation is committed to promoting Jewish philanthropy, for the UJA-Federation, for our agencies, for Jewish education, for our synagogues, for Israel and for Jews in need abroad.

Thank you to our donors and the community for supporting us.