The Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation is a program of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley and serves as the endowment fund of the Jewish community.
Fund managers are focused on donors’ wishes and needs, designing custom philanthropic plans to assure that the donors’ values are clearly established and preserved.
Many donors choose to establish their charitable gifts directly with the LVJF, even when the ultimate beneficiaries are other Jewish and non-Jewish organizations in the Lehigh Valley, elsewhere in the United States or around the world.
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?
- Family Legacy
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 available to those who donate to public charities. Donors receive an income tax deduction for the full market value of their donation. In addition, if a donation is in the form of appreciated property, the donor 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.