The Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) has selected the Jewish Community Foundation of Orange County (JCFOC) to lead the pilot program “Connections” an extension of its nationwide LIFE & LEGACY® program (“Create a Jewish Legacy” in Orange County). The JCFOC and the Orange County community were one of only three communities, out of sixty-three LIFE & LEGACY partners, selected to test this pilot program. The other two are the Foundation for the Charlotte Jewish Community in Charlotte, NC, and the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation in Portland, OR.
Since 1991, HGF has invested more than $200 million in programs that make Jewish life and Jewish community more vibrant and more connected. Two of its most recognizable initiatives, JCFOC’s Create a Jewish Legacy/LIFE & LEGACY program and PJ Library, have been very successful in Orange County.
“The Harold Grinspoon Foundation invests in projects that provide a strong return on investment for the Jewish community,” said Arlene D. Schiff, National Director of the Grinspoon Foundation’s LIFE & LEGACY program. “As one of our first LIFE & LEGACY communities, we have great respect for the work of JCFOC and have seen firsthand their commitment to developing a strong culture of philanthropy in Orange County. We want communities to understand that, despite having completed the four-year LIFE & LEGACY curriculum, we remain committed to assisting them in securing the future of valued organizations and their vibrant Jewish community. The funding of this pilot program is HGF’s way of showing our confidence in and commitment to JCFOC and the Orange County Jewish community.”
“Connections” is a collaborative effort between LIFE & LEGACY and Gateway for Good, a public benefit corporation whose focus is to leverage the radical power of the giving experience to impact the hearts and minds of those who give. Gateway for Good’s principals, Yale Levey, managing director of Next Generation Wealth Planning and Ryan Ponsford, a principal at Akili Capital and founder of Main Street Philanthropy, a 501(c)(3) public charity, each have over 20 years’ experience advising families and organizations on enhanced philanthropic giving and multigenerational continuity. They are sought after speakers and thought leaders who use giving to create connections, foster trust and communication, and teach financial principles. “Connections” will bring together members of the Jewish community to participate in an interactive workshop designed to help identify and understand one’s passion for giving, evaluate one’s potential to make an impact, and inspire conversations and connections, consistent with Jewish heritage and values.
“Providing Jewish communities with proven tools and training to help them secure their long-term financial goals is absolutely vital,” said Harold Grinspoon, founder of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. “Our investment in “Connections” reflects our continued commitment to our LIFE & LEGACY communities by supporting innovative initiatives to assist their work and allow future generations to enjoy our rich Jewish culture and heritage.”
“It’s an incredible honor for JCFOC and Orange County to be selected by the Grinspoon Foundation to help them develop this model for philanthropic engagement,” said
Wendy Arenson, JCFOC Executive Director. “The commitment and success of Grinspoon-supported initiatives speak for themselves. Designing a program to engage donors and assist them in identifying their passions corresponds directly with the evolution of JCFOC. It enables us to use our expertise to serve the interests of our donors and to assist them with their lifetime and legacy giving.”
