In the heart of one of America’s most vibrant Jewish communities, Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County (EIN: 59-0948696) is helping individuals and families ensure that their values, traditions, and generosity live on for generations. Through the creation of endowments and legacy gifts, Federation donors are building a bridge from the past to the future—sustaining Jewish life, education, and community well into tomorrow.

A Jewish legacy is more than a financial contribution—it’s a profound expression of identity, responsibility, and vision. It reflects the values of tzedakah (charity), l’dor v’dor (from generation to generation), and communal commitment. By making a legacy gift or establishing an endowment, donors ensure that Jewish causes close to their hearts will be supported for years to come.

Endowments are financial gifts that are invested, with the earnings used to support the Annual Campaign or a specific Federation or partner agency program or service in perpetuity. At the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, endowments allow for sustained funding of critical programs—ranging from local Jewish education and elder care to global humanitarian aid and Israel advocacy.

How It Works

At the William A. Meyer Jewish Community Foundation, individuals can create a personalized philanthropic plan. Options include:

• Annual Campaign Endowments (ACE) – Sustain annual gifts to Federation’s unrestricted campaign in perpetuity.
• Forever Lion of Judah Endowments (LOJE) – For women making Lion of Judah commitments of $6,000 or more, your generosity will continue across generations.

• Targeted Endowments – Support for a specific program or area of interest, also for forever.

Each gift is tailored to align with the donor’s values and financial goals, and every gift helps strengthen Jewish life locally, nationally and globally.

4 Key Steps to Creating an Endowed Gift

1. Put it in Writing: If you are creating an endowment through your will or living trust and want it to be for a specific purpose, in most cases, you must explicitly state this. If you are establishing one during your lifetime, Federation will work with you to outline how you want it to be used.
2. Determine the Amount Needed: If you are creating an endowment today, you take your current level of support and multiply it by 20.

   The minimum amount required to create a named endowment fund at Federation is $36,000.

   If you intend to create an endowment through your estate, Federation recommends you specify a set amount in your will or living trust, then include a provision directing your executor or personal representative to distribute more funds if needed, should minimums change.

3. Include Safety Language: Nationwide, millions of dollars directed to specific purposes sit idle in bank accounts because the funds are no longer needed. We encourage donors to include a statement that allows Federation to redistribute the funds to another area if the original purpose is no longer necessary.
4. Lean on Federation for Help: We respect the personal nature of these decisions and have experience with the sensitive issues involved. Federation would be glad to consult with you and your professional advisors to help ensure that your wishes are satisfied.

We would love to work with you to help you create a lasting legacy that honors your values for many years to come. Please contact us at:

William A. Meyer Jewish Community Foundation

Phone: 561-242-6639

Email: meyerjcf@jewishpalmbeach.org

*Please consult a licensed estate planning professional to ensure compliance with applicable state laws.