Why Purposeful Giving Matters More than Ever

In times of challenge and change, the Jewish impulse to give only grows stronger. Since October 7th, we’ve witnessed an outpouring of generosity across our community from people who are looking to make a lasting legacy in our community through their philanthropy. Individuals and families are stepping up to support Israel, counter rising antisemitism, strengthen Jewish life, and care for the most vulnerable.

But this moment has also underscored a deeper truth—philanthropy isn’t just about generosity, it’s about intentionality.

At the Jewish Foundation, we call this intentional philanthropy—an approach to giving that starts not with a campaign or a request, but with your values. With what you care about most. With a vision of the legacy you want to leave for the world.

What Is Intentional Philanthropy?

Intentional philanthropy means giving with purpose. It means thinking beyond immediate requests and one-time donations, and instead asking:

• What matters most to me and my family?
• What kind of impact do we want to have?
• Where can our dollars go furthest?
• What will my legacy be?

This approach doesn’t diminish the importance of responding to urgent needs. In fact, it strengthens it. By identifying clear priorities, families can respond to crises while also investing in long-term solutions in the areas that matter most to them.

Intentional philanthropy is proactive rather than reactive. It allows you to make decisions based on a philanthropic blueprint that reflects your family’s values, interests, and hopes for the Jewish future.

Why Now?

October 7th changed everything. Our community’s needs have never been greater or more complex. From rebuilding lives in Israel to safeguarding Jewish life here in Toronto, the urgency is real and ongoing. But with that urgency there has also come a flood of opportunities, proposals, and appeals.

For many donors, this can feel overwhelming. Which causes are most effective? Which organizations are best positioned to make a difference? How do I choose between them? How can I ensure that causes and programs I believe in strongly are funded now and long into the future? What do I want my legacy to be? That’s where intentional philanthropy comes in.

Rather than trying to respond to every request, we encourage donors to take a step back and reflect on what matters most to them. The Jewish Foundation exists not just to facilitate giving, but to make giving more meaningful, more impactful, and more aligned with who you are.

What Does This Look Like in Practice?

Let’s say your family sets a legacy philanthropic intention to support Jewish education. That might mean you care deeply about ensuring the next generation has access to quality Jewish learning—from day schools, to camps, to immersive Israel experiences.

Our team can help you translate that value into action. We might help you explore:

• Funding scholarships for under-resourced students at Jewish day schools.
• Supporting initiatives that strengthen Jewish identity among public school students.
• Investing in innovative curriculum development or training programs for teachers.
• Partnering with UJA to identify high-leverage projects locally or in Israel that advance Jewish learning at scale.

Or imagine your family’s intention is to support Jewish community security. That could lead to:

• Investing in infrastructure upgrades at synagogues, schools, or community centres.
• Supporting mental health and trauma response training for community professionals.
• Helping fund advocacy efforts to ensure government support for security initiatives.
• Backing programs that counter antisemitism in schools.

In both examples, the key is that your giving is grounded in what you care about and built around a plan. Not only can you better understand where your dollars are going, but you can also learn about the impact they are having and the legacy you are creating.

Data Matters: Making Informed Giving Decisions

One of the most powerful tools for intentional philanthropy is data. It’s not just what you care about—it’s about where your giving can have the greatest impact.

Thanks to UJA Federation’s robust planning and strategy department, fundholders at the Jewish Foundation have access to insights and data that are typically unavailable to individual donors. This team—comprised of data scientists, planners, and strategists—gathers, analyzes, and interprets information across the Jewish community in Toronto, in Israel, and globally.

They track trends, assess needs, evaluate programs, measure outcomes, and work closely with our philanthropic advisors to help fundholders make informed, strategic decisions.

Whether you’re interested in supporting youth mental health, housing for Holocaust survivors, Jewish day school enrollment, or security initiatives, we can provide you with real data from UJA Federation’s experts to guide your giving. You don’t have to rely on instinct or marketing—you can rely on data and insight.

A Free Resource for Fundholders

One of the most valuable benefits we offer at the Jewish Foundation is our philanthropic advisory service—available at no cost to anyone who holds a donor advised fund with us. This service is designed to help you and your family think through your giving intentionally and with clarity. As experts in Jewish community causes and impact, and with the data from UJA’s strategists, our philanthropic advisors help to vet the initiatives you’re interested in supporting to ensure that they are impactful and positioned for long-term success.

Our philanthropic advisors can also:

• Facilitate thoughtful family conversations about values and giving priorities.
• Guide you through exercises to define your philanthropic intentions.
• Help you create a plan—whether for this year or for the long-term.
• Curate specific opportunities, projects, or organizations that align with your goals.
• Help you have meaningful conversations with your family about charitable giving across generations.

This is more than a benefit. It’s a meaningful opportunity to ensure your philanthropy reflects your values, serves your goals, leaves a lasting legacy, and truly makes a difference.

Let’s Plan Together

Whether you’re just beginning your philanthropic journey or have been a long-time fundholder, the Jewish Foundation is here to help you take your giving to the next level—by giving with greater intention, focus, and impact.

I encourage you to reach out to us, whether you are a fundholder or not, to learn more about how we can help you become even more deliberate in your philanthropy. We would be honoured to help you and your family define your legacy goals, focus your giving, and make a lasting difference in the areas that matter most to you.

In a world of endless needs, intention—grounded in values, guided by data, and powered by partnership—is what ensures every dollar counts.