Life & Legacy™ is an eight-year initiative by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) aimed at supporting communities across North America in promoting after-lifetime giving. This partnership with Jewish Federations and Foundations focuses on building endowments to sustain vital organizations and vibrant Jewish communities for future generations.

Harold Grinspoon recognized that while endowments are essential for securing community futures, many organizations struggle to prioritize future giving due to pressing current needs. In response, HGF launched Life & Legacy in 2012 to provide training, support, and financial incentives, encouraging communities to focus on long-term planning. Since its inception, HGF estimates that $1.8 billion has been pledged for Jewish futures across 75 communities.

Locally, Life & Legacy has significantly benefited our Jewish community. Over the past seven years, the Jewish Federation has partnered with 15 local organizations, generating approximately $25 million in legacy promises, $3 million of which has already been received.

This past Sunday, we hosted 45 participants from 12 local organizations for a morning of community building, learning, and inspiration. Attendees shared ideas, studied best practices, and enjoyed bagels together. By collaborating, we can foster a promising future.

If you haven’t yet signed your “letter of intent” to secure your legacy in our Jewish community, please reach out.