Back view of embraced grandparents enjoying while looking at their family on a hill in autumn day.

Intergenerational Giving

MAKING A FAMILY IMPACT

Families in our area are experimenting with new approaches to intergenerational philanthropy.

Intergenerational giving embodies the Jewish value of tzedakah, the closest Hebrew word to philanthropy. Tzedakah transcends charity, calling each generation to engage in the shared work of pursuing justice. As more families prepare to transfer wealth to new generations, we are working with donors in our community to enhance their legacy of intergenerational giving. We can help your family create a giving strategy, connect with community and learn about giving opportunities, consider how to evaluate giving the impact of your giving, align giving approaches and plan for the future.

Male parents with two happy children

As we are working with families, here are some of the top practices we see families exploring

Families are:

  • Creating mission statements grounded in Jewish values.
  • Experimenting with opening small DAFs to seed family member projects.
  • Collaborating across the generations on decisions about where and how to give.
  • Forgoing consensus in favor of structures that support different interests and help generations learn from each other.
  • Collaborating on projects and engaging in site visits to build trust and learn about community needs.
  • Discussing what percentage of funds will go to Jewish causes
  • Considering multi-year investments, and assessing tolerance for risk and innovation as their philanthropic sophistication grows.
  • Creating “challenge grants” to fuel giving for the next generation
Grandparents cooking with kids

Begin Creating Your Legacy

Your Jewish legacy secures the future of a vibrant Jewish community. By establishing your legacy gift you ensure that vital programs and organizations flourish in good times and in bad. Your endowment builds the foundation of a strong Jewish life and a thriving Greater Washington Community for generations to come. The Foundation supports the creation of your legacy plan with utmost confidentiality.

Start Your Legacy Today

This commitment is a symbol of your promise to support the causes and organizations that matter most to you in line with your Jewish values. This is not a legally binding document.

On Our Radar

Happy young family celebrating Hannukah at home
Development Today for Tomorrow's Wealth Inheritors

Slingshot Fellowship for Young Jewish Philanthropists

During the 15-month fellowship, participants will develop technical philanthropic skills and build relationships with influential leaders in philanthropy, the Jewish community, and beyond. The program is focused on developing knowledge of the roles, responsibilities, and influence philanthropists ages 25-39 have in the Jewish community. Read about a past fellow's experience, and how to apply.

CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOUR FAMILY’S INTERGENERATIONAL GIVING.

GET IN TOUCH

"We need to model through action what we want the next generation to inherit"
– Intergenerational Dialogue Participant
"Net worth and self-worth are not the same thing. Self worth when giving is an expression of your identity and values."
– Intergenerational Dialogue Panelist
"I know what we are doing. I'm a living participant in our family's philanthropy. How will you know you're successful without being an active participant?"
– Intergenerational Dialogue Panelist
"Each generation of women face different challenges in achieving full equality. Sometimes it is difficult to hear the truths of the next generation and to take a place of support, encouragement and assistance as they do the work required by the new realities of the day."
– Fund Holder