B’nai Tzedek grows teen philanthropists
How the B’nai Tzedek Fund Program Works
As Jewish people, we embrace the concept of tikkun olam – repairing the world – and passing this tradition along to our children. Teens in the B’nai Tzedek program typically complete a mitzvah project and donate at least $500 of the gifts they’ve received upon becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah to a fund they create in their name (e.g. The Leah Schwartz B’nai Tzedek Fund). Then, once a year, they select a charitable organization and recommend a donation of 5% from their fund. The more the fund grows, the more tzedakah they can do each year, contributing only from the investment growth of the fund.
How a Teen’s B’nai Tzedek Fund Works over Time
As a lifelong tzedakah investment, B’nai Tzedek members will have money to gr
ant from their fund once a year for the next 20 years or when they reach age 33, whichever comes first. Then, if the fund has remained active and reached a level of $2,500 or more, donors can continue using the fund to make lifelong, yearly charitable contributions. If the fund is less than $2,500, it will roll into the Jewish Community Foundation’s B’nai Tzedek Endowment Fund to support the B’nai Tzedek program for future generations. If an individual fund grows to $10,000, it will convert to a hybrid-donor advised fund at the JCF, with all the granting privileges of such a fund.
Financial Support
If any youth in grades 7 through 12 wishes to establish a B’nai Tzedek fund, but the minimum donation of $500 is not financially possible for the teen or their family, the Jewish Community Foundation will confidentially work with the family to make a teen’s wish possible.
Want to do More?
Teens seeking deeper involvement philanthropy and advocacy education should consider applying to serve on the Youth Philanthropy Board.
Questions?
For more information or to join us now, complete the online Youth Philanthropy Board Application, or contact the JCF Director of Youth Philanthropy, Andrea Cohen.
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