The Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh today announced it received $61.1 million in new contributions in fiscal year 2026, a record for the Foundation, bringing its assets under management to more than $464 million as of June 30.

The Foundation’s results were the largest share of the Federation’s $80 million in overall resource development for the year, the strongest year of fundraising in the organization’s 114-year history. That total also includes a record $14.4 million Community Campaign.

“Every one of these donations is a decision someone made about the community they want to leave for their children and grandchildren,” said David D. Sufrin, Foundation Chair. “Our donors are telling us they want their generosity to last, and they want it to stay close to home. We take that trust seriously.”

The Foundation now stewards more than 1,500 charitable funds held by individuals, families, agencies and synagogues

Why donors are choosing the Foundation

The Foundation provides a trusted home for charitable giving, supported by an experienced team that includes Chartered Advisors in Philanthropy® (CAP®), many of whom are also 21/64 Certified Advisors with specialized expertise in multigenerational philanthropy. The team understands Jewish Pittsburgh and works collaboratively with donors and their financial advisors, attorneys and other professional advisors to help families accomplish their philanthropic goals. Options include:

• Donor Advised Funds, which can be opened with $5,000 ($2,500 for young adults) and allow donors to recommend grants to eligible Jewish and non-Jewish charities.
• Legacy Funds, which perpetuate a donor’s annual commitment to the Community Campaign through a permanent endowment. A Forever Lion Fund, designed for women who make an annual Lion of Judah gift, is one example of this powerful form of enduring Campaign support.
• Custodial Funds for synagogues, agencies and other nonprofit organizations. These assets are separately accounted for, professionally invested and administered under disciplined policies and oversight designed to safeguard the funds, preserve their charitable purpose and support the organization’s long-term financial stability.
• Permanent endowments established through bequests, retirement-plan assets, life insurance, charitable remainder trusts and other planned-giving arrangements, allowing donors to support the causes and organizations they value for generations to come.
• A broad range of gift assets, including cash, appreciated securities and cryptocurrency, providing donors with flexibility while potentially offering meaningful tax advantages.

“People come to us with questions about creating a lasting legacy,” said Brian Eglash, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer. “We help them find answers in a way that fits their family, their finances and their values. By stewarding their donations responsibly and permanently, we ensure that future generations will have the support they need to care for the vulnerable, respond to crises, strengthen Jewish identity and build a thriving Jewish future.”

Planning ahead of year-end

With the end of the calendar year approaching, the Foundation team is meeting with donors and their advisors about year-end strategies. These include Qualified Charitable Distributions, which allow IRA owners age 70½ and older to give directly from their retirement accounts, and “bunching,” which lets donors make several years of donations at once into a Donor Advised Fund.

To learn more or start a conversation, visit jewishpgh.org/explore/foundation or contact Roi Mezare, Associate Vice President, Development & Foundation, at rmezare@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5230.

About the Jewish Community Foundation

The Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is Pittsburgh’s center for Jewish philanthropy. With more than $464 million under management and more than 1,500 charitable funds, the Foundation helps donors turn their values into lasting impact, within and beyond the Jewish community. The Foundation is not a licensed tax, legal or investment advisor. Donors should consult their own tax, legal or financial advisors.

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