Lately, I have been receiving questions from a variety of people about the current fragile state of the economy and its potential impact on The Foundation. With record inflation and the recent stock market downturn, there is indeed just cause to feel worried about a potential impending economic crisis. While we cannot predict what will happen in the coming months, the good news is that we have always planned for uncertainty. In today’s predicament, we can apply what we have learned throughout our nearly 70 years of history. We’ve certainly been here before.

In 1954, in a prosperous post-war era, The Foundation was founded to serve as a pillar of strength and stability for our community – through both the best of times as well as challenging times. Today, it feels appropriate to mention the words of The Foundation’s Founding Chair, Judge Isaac Pacht. Upon creating the institution I proudly lead today, he stated, “Demanding as the past has been, the future inevitably will be even more demanding. We cannot begin to dream what lies ahead of us in the next decades to come.”

In my 33 years at The Foundation’s helm, there has been no shortage of troubled waters that we have navigated. We bore witness to the economic downturn of 2008, to which The Foundation responded promptly by creating the Jewish Family Relief Network and funding it with a $1 million grant for social service agencies, providing vital relief to thousands of people who fell on hard times. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, arguably one of the most challenging crises in modern history, The Foundation mobilized its resources and provided over $8 million in critical relief grants to organizations across Los Angeles and Israel. All of this critical community care wouldn't be possible without our donors, whose annual fees contribute to our grantmaking and enable this support.

I’m proud to say that through careful planning, the strategic leadership of our seasoned Board of Trustees, and the extensive skills of our dedicated staff, The Foundation will persevere through our current challenging times. Though we certainly cannot avoid choppy waters, rest assured we can confidently navigate through them on the strong vessel built to last from generation to generation, l’dor v’dor.

We are happy to announce $1 million in grants to five community nonprofits working to alleviate older adult poverty. The funding – part of The Foundation’s General Community Grants initiative – expands support for programs providing assistance to low-income older adults through access to food, healthcare, housing, and supportive care to live independently and age with dignity.

Recipients of this year's awards – which match the record-high amount granted in 2021 – are: Los Angeles LGBT Center; Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF); ONEgeneration; Partners in Care Foundation; and St. Vincent Meals on Wheels.

You have many choices when selecting where to open a charitable fund, but we believe we stand out in our field by collaborating with donors on solutions that meet their needs and improve our community. We strive to provide a customized, rewarding, and personal experience.

Read ten reasons why we feel our collaborative approach distinguishes us from all the rest.

by Sara Hahn, Senior Program Officer, Center for Designed Philanthropy

A gift to a nonprofit has the potential for great impact, not only for the organization but also for the person making the charitable contribution. But how can someone ensure that their gift is meaningful?

For a donor or family, there are many ways to imbue meaning into a gift. Here are some ideas to help guide you as you move through this process.

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