National endowment initiative tops $1 billion – $28 million in OR, SW WA

BY JULIE DIAMOND

In less than eight years, Life & Legacy, an initiative of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation,  has motivated more than 17,000 donors in 63 communities across North America, including Oregon and SW Washington, to commit more than $1billion in current and after-lifetime assets to Jewish organizations. What a fantastic milestone to celebrate, especially in these difficult times. 
“We give to the organizations we care about during our lifetimes,” says Barry Benson, Shaarie Torah Legacy Team member and past co-chair of the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. “What about when we’re gone? Life & Legacy has helped me and so many others understand the vital importance of after-lifetime gifts and their tremendous impact on our community’s future.” 
“Providing Jewish organizations with a strategy to help secure their long-term financial goals is absolutely vital, especially now in the middle of an economic crisis,” says Harold Grinspoon, HGF founder. “Supporting our Jewish institutions is critical to ensuring future generations are able to enjoy our rich culture and heritage.” 
“The cooperation and collaboration fostered by Life & Legacy as local organizations work to a shared goal of endowment building is especially critical now,” says Arlene D. Schiff, national director, Life & Legacy. “Even in the midst of so much disruption and uncertainty, we are witnessing many generous and committed donors stepping up to give back to the Jewish organizations that have played and are playing an important role in their lives.”
To date, Life & Legacy in Oregon and SW Washington, which began six years ago at OJCF with 10 local partner organizations, has motivated 552 donors to invest an estimated $28 million to ensure a vibrant Jewish future. This fall, OJCF welcomes another nine partner organizations to a new phase of the program, providing them with training, support and incentive grants made possible by the OJCF Community Endowment Fund. 
To learn how you can be part of securing the Jewish future of Oregon and SW Washington, call me or Tara Siegman, director of donor relations and development officer, at OJCF, 503-248-9328. Also, visit ojcf.org to learn more.

Julie Diamond is president & CEO of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation.

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