Jewish Community Partners

New fundholders can receive a grant of up to $1,000 to give away to favorite Memphis Jewish organizations, like the Memphis Jewish Community Center.

Laura Linder, CEO and President, Jewish Community Partners

In the heart of Memphis, a spirit of generosity and community thrives, and at the Jewish Foundation of Memphis, we’re dedicated to helping you channel that spirit into powerful action. Now is the perfect time to amplify your charitable giving through one of the most flexible and tax-efficient tools available: a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF).

A DAF with the Foundation is essentially a personal charitable checking account. It offers you an immediate tax deduction when you contribute, and your funds grow tax-free, ready to be distributed to your favorite charities, both Jewish and secular, locally and nationally. It’s philanthropy made simple, strategic, and deeply impactful.

We believe so strongly in the power of DAFs to strengthen our community that we’re bringing back an exciting incentive for new fundholders.

Now through the end of December, the first ten donors to open a Jewish Foundation of Memphis Donor-Advised Fund, will receive a grant of up to $1,000 to give away to a favorite Memphis Jewish organization(s).

By opening a DAF, you directly support the incredible ecosystem of our local Jewish community. Our partner agencies eligible for this incentive include Anshei Sphard-Beth El Emeth, Baron Hirsch Congregation, Beth Sholom Synagogue, Bornblum Jewish Community School, Margolin Hebrew Academy, Memphis Jewish Community Center, Temple Israel, Plough Towers, Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab and the Wendy and Avron B. Fogelman Jewish Family Service.

Local philanthropists David and Michelle Katz, who recently opened a Jewish Foundation of Memphis DAF, said the experience was smooth and seamless.

“The Foundation team was extremely helpful throughout the process. We spoke to Sheri a few times and she explained the process very well and made it extremely easy,” Michelle said.

David said they decided to open a DAF because ” we wanted to support the Jewish Foundation’s efforts, and it certainly helped with tax advantages in the current year.”

David and Michelle have already put their DAF to work, supporting a diverse range of causes: “We recommended grants to local Jewish organizations that we are closely involved with, including the Margolin Hebrew Academy, Young Israel, and Jewish Federation. We also used it for a non-local organization that David is involved with that helps Jewish small business owners with mentoring,” they explained.

The process is simple. Establish your fund by filling out a simple fund application, choose a name for your fund, and list its advisors. Make a tax-deductible donation with a minimum of $5,000 to the Foundation to establish your fund. You can begin recommending grants right away!

Once your fund is established, the Foundation will award a special grant in your honor to your chosen partner agencies. For donors contributing $5,000, you may choose one or more of JFOM’s partner agencies to receive a total grant of $500. For donors contributing $10,000 or more, you are eligible to choose one or more partner agencies to receive a total grant of $1,000. Please note that this incentive is exclusively for first-time fundholders of the Jewish Foundation of Memphis.

A Donor-Advised Fund with the Jewish Foundation of Memphis is more than just a financial tool—it’s a commitment to a stronger Jewish future in Memphis. It gives you the power to be thoughtful, strategic, and proactive in your giving, all while partnering with a trusted organization that is deeply invested in the vibrancy of our Memphis Jewish community.

Don’t miss this limited-time opportunity to establish your fund and immediately direct up to $1,000 to the organizations that matter most to you. Contact the Foundation team today at 901-374-0400 to start your application and truly make your philanthropy count!