Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation

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Your gifts make it possible for the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation (LVJF) to contribute to a better quality of life for everyone in the community.

LVJF is pledged to focus its energies on its donor's wishes and needs. A philanthropic plan will be designed to assure that the donor's values are clearly established and preserved. To this extent, the Foundation's professional staff will coordinate with a donor's other professional advisors in a team approach with the common objective of serving the donor's needs and desires. Many donors choose to establish their charitable gifts directly with the LVJF, even when the ultimate beneficiaries are other Jewish and non-Jewish organizations, located in the Lehigh Valley, elsewhere in the United States, and internationally.

There are many financial vehicles available to donors who want to ensure the continuity of services to the Jewish community. There are many ways to make a planned gift that can offer substantial tax savings, supplement retirement income, and enable you to leave a legacy that will secure a vibrant Jewish community in the Lehigh Valley for generations to come.

Why Become a Donor?

·         Recognition
The creation of a named, permanent endowment fund gives the donor an opportunity to give his/her family name or that of a loved one a place in the history of the philanthropic Jewish community -- unless the donor desires anonymity – that will endure forever.  All grants made from the fund are identified to the recipient charities as coming from the donor's fund and LVJF.

·         Flexibility
The donor can: Specify the particular area of Jewish community life to which distributions from his/her fund may be applied; Designate specific agencies/congregations to which grants shall be given; or allow LVJF's Grants Committee to select the charitable causes and institutions to be assisted based on the community needs and priorities at that time.

·         Tax Benefits
LVJF donors qualify for the income tax benefits to a public charity. Donors receive an income tax deduction for the full market value of their donation. In addition, if your donation is in the form of appreciated property, you will avoid paying capital gains tax on that property. The extent of such tax advantages will depend on the particular circumstances of each donor as well as the charitable vehicle selected.

Ways to invest in the future

·         You can create a permanent legacy that will benefit the Jewish community for generations to come. Set aside a gift – as large or small as you want  -- in a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder of your estate by creating a Charitable Bequest.

·         A Charitable Gift Annuity is an easy option that provides you and/or your spouse or beneficiary a fixed sum each year for life while leaving a permanent legacy that will become the property of the Federation to meet critical community needs.

·         Provide a permanent source of income to sustain a program, project or agency that is most important to you by creating a Designated Fund.

·         For as little as a $1,000 investment, you can create a Donor Advised Philanthropic Fund and recommend charitable distributions of its proceeds to an approved non-profit organization of your choice

·         Family Supporting Foundation is a separate charitable corporation or trust that is organized and operated to support the broad purposes of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. It combines the characteristics of a private family foundation with the tax benefits of giving to a public charity.

·         With a Lion of Judah Endowment (LOJE) or a Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (PACE), you can endow your gift to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley Annual Campaign and guarantee future support for critical programs and services. Your annual gift will be there forever to carry on your acts of tzedakah and charity.