Family Philanthropy

For all of the leadership potential that the next generation has, we know that realizing that potential can be challenging. This is why your Federation is providing a variety of tools to engage multiple generations.

Donor Advised Funds and Supporting Family Foundations

Donor Advised Funds

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) allows you to donate your cash or marketable securities at a time that is advantageous to you for tax or other purposes. This allows you time to decide which charities you would like to support. DAFs offer a simple and economical means for benefiting the community and encouraging family philanthropy.

One of the most popular charitable vehicles in North America today is the Donor Advised Fund. A Donor Advised Fund is a component fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. It is established by agreement between Federation and the donor, in consideration of an irrevocable contribution of money or property to Federation. The assets in a Donor Advised Fund are owned by Federation. The donor and designated advisors may recommend distributions from the fund to public charities whose purposes generally are in furtherance of the purposes of Federation. These recommendations are advisory only, and Federation has the final authority to approve the grant recommendations. Unlike other planned gifts, a Donor Advised Fund is not a permanent fund and will not provide a perpetual gift to the Federation unless the Federation is appointed as the successor beneficiary.

Donor Advised Funds create a broad base of financial support for the Jewish community as well as the general community. They offer a simple and economical means for benefiting the community and encouraging family philanthropy. Donor Advised Funds advance the values and goals of Federation by:

• Helping members of the Jewish community to engage in tzedakah, and training future philanthropists.
• Caring for Jews in need in Israel and around the world.
• Providing financial resources for critical human services in the local Jewish and general communities.
• Nurturing relationships between Jewish philanthropists and Federation professionals.
• Building leadership and social capital in the Jewish community.
• Establishing priorities that consider the future needs of the Jewish community.
• Reinforcing the positive perception of Federation as a philanthropic partner with the larger community, through leveraging the public relations value of gifts from Donor Advised Funds to non-Jewish charities.
• Helping to build Federation’s Jewish Community Endowment Fund.

Federation offers password-protected online access for all Donor Advised Fund holders and their appointed users. Recommendations for distributions can be made from the comfort of your home at any time.

Click here to download a Donor Advised Fund Guidebook.

Click here to log-on to PHIL.

For questions about Donor Advised Funds contact Cindy Weik at 404.870.1623 or cweik@jfga.org.

Supporting Family Foundations

A Supporting Family Foundation provides a unique vehicle for intergenerational family involvement in philanthropy. A Supporting Foundation (also known as a Supporting Organization) is a separate charitable corporation or trust, which by affiliating in a defined way with the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta obtains the tax status of a public charity. A Supporting Foundation is a very flexible charitable giving program that allows donors the opportunity to actively participate in deciding how these resources will be used to benefit the needs of the Jewish community.

An individual, corporation or family generally endows a Supporting Foundation, and the donors may designate Board Members to officially participate in decisions of the Foundation. While the donors may not control the Foundation, they and their designated successors will have a perpetual role in charitable grant making and in administrative decisions of the Supporting Foundation.

A Supporting Foundation is also an alternative to the establishment or continued operation of a private foundation that is subject to many additional rules and regulations.

Click here to download a Supporting Family Foundations Guidebook

For questions about Supporting Family Foundations, contact Melinda Francis at 404.870.1873 or mfrancis@jfga.org.

Family Philanthropy Initiative

As your family engages the next generation in your foundations, donor advised funds, and other forms of family enterprises, there is an increasing need for clarity, communication and multigenerational collaboration. While these endeavors are wonderful opportunities for families to work together, challenges can and often do arise when multiple generations and family members with relationship dynamics begin to make decisions together. Federation and our trained philanthropic advisors are here to assist you and your family during these times of generational transitions.

The Multi-Generational Philanthropy Discussion Series

We understand the unique skills and perspectives the next generation can bring to the philanthropic community. However, the prospect of engaging the next generation can be daunting. Join us for three interactive sessions addressing the sharing strategies for engaging the next generation in philanthropy. Each session is offered a la carte, but participation in the entire series is encouraged.

This information is intended as an educational tool. The information presented is to provide general information only and should not be construed as legal or accounting advice. Because tax and financial consequences involved with any gifting program depend on personal financial circumstances, individuals should consult with their own financial, legal and accounting advisors to review any charitable estate planning options.