JCF facilitates grants for agencies through matching funds opportunities

When Paul and Helen Craig Lappe, long-time Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest NJ fund holders and generous supporters of the United Jewish Appeal of MetroWest NJ, received recent JCF donor alerts about the Pension Protection Act of 2006, they took notice. The Lappes immediately understood that the Act would give them a time-limited opportunity to transfer money from their IRAs directly to charities of their choice without incurring federal income tax, and, at the same time, satisfy their IRA minimum distribution requirements.

According to Paul Lappe, “This new law gave us an opportunity to make a donation to an organization (Jewish Vocational Service [JVS]) I was on the board of years ago, and to causes that my wife and I are both pleased to support.“

They called the JCF for assistance, and after discussions with JCF professional staff, decided to make a gift that will benefit three MetroWest community agencies: Jewish Family Service (JFS), JVS, and Jewish Services for the Developmentally Disabled (JSDD).

“JCF was founded in 1949 for exactly this purpose: to help donors achieve their philanthropic goals and to provide support for UJA and MetroWest beneficiary agencies,” said Anat Becker, JCF executive director. “It is our pleasure to bring donors like the Lappes and the agencies together. They are a perfect match.”

This year, there is another benefit for the Lappes and the agencies they support: By dedicating a portion of their contributions for programs to assist the poor Jewish elderly, the Lappes can apply for matching funds. The Weinberg Foundation has created a $2 million pool through the Jewish Funders’ Network to provide matching funds for donors who make a first-time gift of $25,000 or more that will benefit the poor Jewish elderly. Donors who have made previous gifts will also be eligible, if they now make a gift that is triple the size of their previous high donation. Any one donor may receive matching funds up to $50,000. Any institution may receive $100,000 in total matching Weinberg dollars.

“This is a wonderful partnership between JCF, the community at large, and the agency system,” says JFS executive director Reuben Rotman. “JCF plays a pivotal role in educating donors about community needs.”

All applications for Weinberg matching funds must be submitted by Jan. 27. If you are interested and would like more information, contact JCF at .