1. Do the Foundation and its donors support only Jewish causes?
2. Who governs the Jewish Community Foundation?
3. Is there a minimum amount required to open a fund bearing the name of the donor?
4. How do I set up a Donor Advised Philanthropic Fund?
5. What assets can I use to create a fund?
6. How are the Jewish Community Foundation's funds managed and invested?
7. What is the connection between the Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix? Does the Foundation support the Jewish Federation and its agencies?
8. How can I apply for a grant?

1. Do the Foundation and its donors support only Jewish causes?

No. Because the Foundation believes deeply in the concept of tikkum olam - repairing the world - as part of its broad charitable purposes, the Foundation and its donors support causes in both the Jewish and general community. These include Jewish as well as secular organizations. Click here for a complete list of last year's recipients.

2. Who governs the Jewish Community Foundation?

The Foundation is governed by its Board of Directors, comprised of local business and community leaders.

3. Is there a minimum amount required to open a fund bearing the name of the donor?

Named funds are created with a minimum of $10,000. Contributions of less than $10,000 are always appreciated and can make a real difference.

4. How do I set up a Donor Advised Philanthropic Fund?

We work with you to create a fund that will meet your philanthropic needs and objectives. Once an agreement is signed and you select a name for the fund, you simply transfer to the fund cash, securities or other assets. Generally, Endowment Book of Life are opened with $10,000 or more; however, special situations will be considered The Foundation has accounts with various brokerage houses to facilitate the transfer of stock. A Donor Advised Fund allows you make tax-deductible contributions when it is advantageous for you and recommend donations from that fund at any time. Click here for more information on Endowment Book of Life.

5. What assets can I use to create a fund?

Cash, life insurance, publicly-traded stock, closely held stock, bonds, personal property and real estate may be used to make a gift to the Foundation. IRA's or retirement plans are attractive assets to donate to the Foundation because they may otherwise be taxed at higher rates.

6. How are the Jewish Community Foundation's funds managed and invested?

The Foundation's funds are invested in a well diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds designed to support the long-term financial goals of the Foundation. Within the stock segment, the portfolio is diversified by investment style (value/growth), market capitalization (large/mid/small), and geography (domestic/international). The portfolio also maintains a significant weighting in high quality, intermediate term bonds. Each of these allocations is invested by a professional money manager that specializes in a particular area of the capital markets. The portfolio is overseen by the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors with assistance from an investment consultant. The Investment Committee, in conjunction with its consultant, determines a long-term asset allocation strategy, selects money managers, and monitors the progress of the portfolio on a regular basis.

7. What is the connection between the Foundation and the Jewish Federation? Does the Foundation support the Jewish Federation and its agencies?

The Jewish Community Foundation was established in 1972 as an endowment department of the Jewish Federation and became a legally independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in October 2002. We assist the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix and its family of agencies in building endowments to benefit the Jewish community locally, in Israel and worldwide where Jews are in need.

8. How can I apply for a grant?

Grants from the Fund for Jewish Philanthropy are awarded through the general grant cycle to provide seed money for new and innovative programs that offer the Jewish community both immediate benefits and the potential for long-term enrichment, and to enable the Jewish Community Foundation to assist in responding to emergency needs. Grants from the Jewish Women's Endowment Fund are awarded to programs that are catalysts for social change to benefit Jewish women and girls. Click here for grant guidelines and grant applications.