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Bequests and Endowments

Bequest Language

The official bequest language for Jewish Family Services, Inc. is "I, [name], of [city, state, zip], give, devise and bequeath to Jewish Family Services, Inc., located in Milwaukee, WI [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

While we understand some individuals prefer to remain anonymous, others like to be recognized in advance that they have named JFS as a beneficiary in their estate plans or of a life insurance policy. If you would like us to know of your intent, please call Sally Lyne, Vice President of Development & Communications at 414-225-1336 or email slyne@jfsmilw.org.

Endowments

Jewish Family Services...families need a home...homes need a foundation.

The first Endowment Fund to support Jewish Family Services programs was established in 1982. With assistance from the Jewish Community Foundation, the endowment development program of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, [hyperlink] nearly 40 families have chosen to support the agency by starting an Endowment fund to support general operating expenses or a specific program of Jewish Family Services.

How does it work?

An endowment is a fund established in perpetuity and provides a lasting legacy that reflects your wishes and intentions in making your gift to JFS. Endowments are structured so that only a small portion of your gift, rather than the whole amount, is used each year while the rest remains intact and is invested for the future.

An initial minimum gift of $2,500 is required to establish a JFS endowment fund. Funds can be named after loved ones, in memory or in honor of someone, or to commemorate a special event. Donations to establish an endowment fund can be made in the form of cash, appreciated securities, bequests or a life insurance policy. Additional gifts to your endowment over the years can continue to increase the benefit to services that JFS provide each day to the clients who rely on us for support.

For more information on creating a named Endowment, please contact Sally Lyne, Vice President of Development and Communications at JFS at 414-225-1336 or e-mail her at slyne@jfsmilw.org.

Click here for a list of the named Endowment Funds at Jewish Family Services.

Reasons to Consider an Endowed Fund

• Honors or memorializes a loved one through a project or issue of importance to that person.
• Promotes philanthropy within the family and teaches tzedakah to children and grandchildren.
• Bypasses capital gains taxes on long-term appreciated securities.
• The donor may recommend a different project to receive distribution from the named fund each year.
• The donor may initiate a fund to commemorate a special occasion and may add to the fund over time.

The information in this Web site is not intended as legal or tax advice. For legal advice, please consult the appropriate professional.

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