The Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) has selected the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation (OJCF) to lead the pilot program “Connections” an extension of its nationwide LIFE & LEGACY® program. OJCF and the Oregon 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 Jewish Community Foundation of Orange County in Irvine, CA.
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, OJCF’s Create a Jewish Legacy/LIFE & LEGACY program and PJ Library, have been very successful in Portland, Eugene and other Oregon communities.
“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 OJCF and have seen firsthand their commitment to developing a strong culture of philanthropy in Portland and Eugene. We are thrilled that they are now launching a second cohort of LIFE & LEGACY that will reach into other regions of Oregon and SW Washington. We want our partner 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 OJCF and the Oregon and SW Washington 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 501c3 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 OJCF to be selected by the Grinspoon Foundation to help them develop this prototype for philanthropic engagement,” said Julie Diamond, OJCF President and CEO. “The commitment and success of Grinspoon-supported initiatives speak for themselves. A program that is designed to engage donors and assist them in identifying their passions corresponds directly with the unique position of OJCF and its mission. It enables us to use our expertise to serve our donors more effectively with their current and legacy giving.”
