Philanthropy With Us

We seek to make your philanthropic vision a reality. We offer resources to help advance your charitable mission, from different vehicles for philanthropy including Supporting Foundations and Donor Advised Funds, to involving multiple generations in a shared vision of giving. We can help you blend the values and ideas of multiple generations and transition to a cohesive and thoughtful philanthropic endeavor.



"Through the Federation's Legacy Society, my lifelong commitment to tzedakah, Jewish continuity and a vibrant Jewish community will live on long after I am gone. L'dor V'dor" - Barry Feldman, Established a Donor Advised Fund


Donor Advised Funds

Donor Advised Funds are named funds of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in which you as the donor advisor retain the privilege to make charitable grant recommendations. With an initial minimum gift of just $100, you can begin to take an active role in helping meet needs in the Jewish and general communities.

How does it work?

With a gift of cash, securities, or other property to the Federation, you can establish a donor advised fund.

  • You make recommendations for charitable distributions from the fund - $100 minimum - to qualified public charities with purposes not inconsistent with the Federation’s mission. The Federation verifies the tax status and mission of all charitable organizations that receive grants.
  • You and additional designated advisors may make recommendations for grants from both income and principal.

The Federation invests and administers the fund’s assets, processes recommendations, mails checks to recipient organizations, and reports to the donor advisor.

Any assets remaining in the fund upon your death or your successor advisors’ deaths are added to the Federation’s endowment fund to help the Federation meet future needs.

What are the benefits?

  • You can recommend support for causes of specific interest to you, now and in the future.
  • You may receive an immediate charitable income tax deduction for gifts to the fund.
  • You may receive additional tax savings if you use appreciated securities or property to establish or augment the fund.
  • You do not pay income tax on the income generated by the fund.
  • You may involve other family members as advisors, demonstrating to them the importance of philanthropy.
  • You can take advantage of our expert advice by partnering with the Federation to make the world a better place.

The fund you establish is at your fingertips with FundConnect, your online portal to philanthropic giving.


For more information about the Federation’s DAF program, contact Michelle Feinberg at 216-593-2875 or mfeinberg@jewishcleveland.org.
Manage your philanthropic giving online with Donor First


“When you run a private foundation, you file the tax returns, maintain the checkbooks, and manage all the administration of that foundation. When your foundation is a Supporting Foundation of the Federation, we do that business for you, through a Jewish lens and with donor intent at the heart of the decision-making.”
— Hedy Milgrom, Chief Development Officer at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland


Supporting Foundations

Supporting Foundations of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland provide unique vehicles for family involvement in philanthropy by creating separate, nonprofit corporations, each with its own identity and corporate structure.

How does it work?

With a current or future gift of cash, securities or other property, worth a minimum of $1 million, you can create a Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

  • Your foundation is a separate, nonprofit corporation with its own identity and corporate structure.
  • Your foundation receives “public charity” status because of its affiliation with the Federation.
  • Your foundation is governed and operated by its own board of trustees.

Trustees meet at least once a year to decide on grant making and investment matters, as well as other issues of policy and operations.

What are the benefits?

  • You and your family are able to recommend support for causes and organizations of specific interest to you, now and in the future.
  • You can involve your family and others in the decision-making process, training them for future roles in the supporting foundation’s operation and continued philanthropic vision and mission.
  • You receive a charitable income tax deduction for all contributions to the supporting foundation.
  • The supporting foundation pays no income tax on investment income.
  • You receive the full professional expertise and operational support of the Federation.
  • The supporting foundation has access to professional investment managers engaged by the Federation.


“Bringing our adult children into the conversation helps them to see what we value and helps to ensure that they continue it beyond our lifetimes.”

— Dan Zelman


Multi-Generational Giving

Multi-Generational Giving through the Jewish Federation of Cleveland brings the generations together in conversation and action around shared values.

How does is work?

Is it important to you that your children and grandchildren share the philanthropic values that you have modeled for them? Do they understand the motivations and connections underlying your volunteerism and philanthropy? We help you and your family:

  • Share family stories, history and role models that shape your identity and behavior;
  • Explore the values and priorities that guide your philanthropic and volunteer choices;
  • Work across generations to increase mutual understanding;
  • Articulate the change you would like to see in the world.

Our trained professionals customize support and process for you and your family on this journey including facilitating meetings, dynamic and interactive exercises, logistics, mission statements, site visits and grant making.

What are the benefits?

Legacy is more than passing on valuables, it is sharing values. Engaging the next generations in collaborative family philanthropy:

  • Infuses values and a shared experience into the family’s finances;
  • Provides families a platform for mutual respect and collaboration;
  • Creates an environment where a family can set philanthropic goals and priorities consistent with a family mission;
  • Enhances relationships and the preservation of wealth in following generations.

Ultimately, getting the conversation started can help prepare the next generations for their future roles and responsibilities as they inherit valuables and values.

Contact Us

Contact any member of our team for a confidential conversation about these or other vehicles