Richmond Jewish Foundation - Overview

Overview

The Richmond Jewish Foundation was established in 1979. Like a community foundation, it is an independent philanthropic organization working in a defined geographic area (in this case Richmond and central Virginia), which, over time, builds up a collection of endowed funds from many donors in the community. The Foundation also provides funding to charitable, educational and religious causes outside of the region, including but not limited to Jewish causes. It provides services to the community and its donors, makes grants and undertakes community leadership and partnership activities to address a wide variety of needs in its service area.

By 2006, the Richmond Jewish Foundation had over 200 subcomponents that include endowments, donor advised funds, and life income gifts that include charitable remainder trusts. Affiliated agencies include Beth Sholom Campus and Weinstein JCC, Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia area Jewish congregations such as Temple Beth El and Congregation Kol Emes, museums like Virginia Holocaust Museum and Congregation Beth Ahabah Museum and Archives, schools like Rudlin Torah Academy and programs like Hillel. A broadly representative volunteer board serves to oversee the organization and to function as its ambassadors with various constituencies including individuals, families, agencies, congregations and the general community. As a mission focused independent charity, partnering in community, Richmond Jewish Foundation operates in a manner similar to such charities as the San Diego Jewish Community Foundation; Jewish Community Foundation of Kansas City and Tidewater Jewish Foundation, to name a few.

Richmond Jewish Foundation is home to the Genesis Fund and Create a Jewish Legacy. Among the offerings of the Foundation are field of interest funds, special purpose funds, life income plans and donor advised funds.