“When my granddaughter turned one,” relates Judy, “I was overjoyed. But the occasion also inspired me to think about creative ways of making this occasion truly special. Was there a way I could show my love for her that would be more meaningful than just buying her another toy or outfit?”
“It occurred to me that by sharing with her my love of philanthropy and teaching her ‘the art of giving,’ I could not only forge a close bond with her, but also bestow a gift that would last a lifetime.” Judy established the first Children’s Giving Fund in 1998. Since then, 8 more grandchildren have been added to the fund. “It’s a way of giving all the grandchildren a place at the table,” she offers, “and an opportunity for them to experience philanthropy at a very early age.”
Listen to a grandfather talk about establishing funds for his grandchildren.
Give the gift of tzedakah…
As parents, we understand that it is our responsibility not only to provide materially for our children, but also to instill values that will help them lead fulfilling and meaningful lives. Charitable giving — the mitzvah of tzedakah — is one we cherish and, like most values, is best taught by example.
The idea is simple…here’s how it works:
Make a tax-deductible gift of $1,800 to a donor advised fund that you establish and name in honor of your child or grandchild under the age of 18. You and your child can access the fund online to recommend charitable distributions to any IRS-qualified public charity as allowed by law. Friends and relatives can make tax-deductible contributions to the fund in any amount at any time. Assets in the fund are invested and grow tax-free, generating more charitable dollars for distribution to the qualified charities of your child’s choice.
If you would like to make a contribution to a Children’s Giving fund, please click here.
4 simple steps to establish a Children’s Giving Fund:
- Read the Policies and Procedures booklet and review our fees.
- Fill out the online application.
- Make an initial contribution of at least $1,800.
- Review the investment performance chart and complete a Fund Investment Recommendation form.
Initial contribution: $1,800
Annual fee: $100 (on funds with balances below $5,000)
Minimum grant amount: $ $36 online*
*$36 grants may be recommended online to charities already in our database that do not require additional research.
