WEST HARTFORD, Connecticut – The inaugural year of the Life & Legacy program for Greater Hartford, led by the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, marked a triumphant success: 180 donors made 267 legacy commitments totaling $7.5 million in estimated after-lifetime gifts to help secure a strong future for Greater Hartford’s Jewish community.

“Thanks to the vision and commitments of so many generous community members, eleven Jewish organizations in our vibrant community will continue thriving for generations,” said Jacob Schreiber, president and CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford. “Life & Legacy” has given us the tools to secure our future and opened a powerful connection among us all.  Because of what we have done, we will always be connected — and committed — to our Jewish community.”   

Launched in May 2021, Life & Legacy for Greater Hartford is a four-year partnership with the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation that promotes after-lifetime giving to build endowments that will help provide financial stability to 11 local Jewish organizations.

The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford hosted a community celebration for Life & Legacy community partners and donors, June 12 at the Mandell Jewish Community Center in West Hartford, to thank donors for their commitments. During the event, the Jewish Community Foundation awarded $72,500 in cash incentive grants to 11 partners that completed the first year and reached their goals.

In addition, The Jewish Community Foundation received a $100,000 program subsidy grant from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation for surpassing its original community goal of securing 198 commitments. 

Arlene Schiff, National Director of Life & Legacy for the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, attended the June 12 event to congratulate the Jewish Community Foundation and its 11 community partners on joining the prestigious ranks of the Life & Legacy communities that have met and exceeded their first-year legacy commitment goal.

“You are on the way to truly integrating legacy giving into the philanthropic culture of your Jewish community,” said Arlene. “I am so impressed with all you have accomplished, especially because you launched your Life & Legacy initiative during the pandemic.”

Greater Hartford’s Life & Legacy initiative is part of the 34,000 legacy commitments secured for the nationwide Life & Legacy program with an estimated value of more than $1.3 billion dollars in future gifts to 72 Jewish communities across North America, of which more than $149 million has been placed in organizational endowments, according to Arlene.

For more information, contact Elana MacGilpin, development officer at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, at emacgilpin@jcfhartford.org or visit www.jcfhartford.org. 

MAIN PHOTO:  Pictured here at the June 12 Life & Legacy celebration are (from l to r): Jason Kay, Rabbi Tuvia Brander, Arielle Kay, Elisabeth Kostin, Lauren Benthien, Jillian Feldman, Joshua Feldman, Kathryn Gonnerman and Walt Harrison