Donor Advised Fund Partner Agency Matching Program

Help our Jewish Community Flourish

Double your Donations Through our DAF Partner Agency Matching Program

The DAF Partner Agency Matching Program is designed to infuse the Greater Washington Jewish community with an additional $2 million over two years, by matching $1 million given by the Jewish Community Foundation and The Jewish Federation with $1 million in charitable donations made by community members. In our first year, the program distributed over $900K to local partner agencies. Explore year one results.

We now invite you to participate in our second year and help accelerate the impact in our Jewish community and strengthen our network of innovative Jewish organizations.

Year 2 Program Details

Our second year runs from July 1, 2024 -June 30, 2025. We are honored to continue partnering with our donor community to foster a culture of philanthropy. Building on the successes, learnings, and feedback from year one, we are simplifying the requirements to help sustain the high levels of giving and to encourage more Donor Advised Funds.

For existing DAF holders who didn’t participate in year one, original program requirements apply: we will match any increased gift of $2,500 or more, up to $15,000 per eligible agency. Donors may give to as many agencies as they chose.

For donors who participated in year one, you can give again at the same level, and we will match last year’s increase to the agency of your choice up to $15,000 per agency. Additional increases are encouraged and will be matched, but not required to receive a match.

Please note: if you want to give to an agency that did not receive an increase from you last year, original program requirements apply: we will match any increased gift of $2,500 or more, up to $15,000 per agency.

For donors new to the Jewish Community Foundation, you can participate by opening a DAF with our minimum fund balance $50,000. We will match gifts of any size when donors open a DAF of $50,000. Increase gifts are encouraged but not required for a match.

What Continues from Year 1

There are two requirements to participate. Donors must have a DAF at the Jewish Community Foundation and give through their DAF to participate.

The list of eligible agencies can be found here.

Note: All Federation partner agencies serving and located in Greater Washington are eligible for the match, including local Hillels, day schools, and youth groups with local programming. Donations must support local programming efforts. National or international partner agencies are not eligible to receive matching funds at this time.

Maximum match of $15,000 per donor, per agency. Donors may give to as many agencies as they wish.

Agency maximum matching cap of $25,000 to ensure equitable distribution of matching funds across organizations of all sizes and missions.

*Note: Once an agency has reached its $25,000 maximum match amount, the Foundation will not be able to match additional donations to that agency. Please consult our website for status updates on which agencies have met their match cap. Regardless of match status, the Foundation will ensure that all contributions go to their designated beneficiary agency. Please know that your donation is deeply valued, whether or not the Foundation can match it!

Eligible Partners

We will note when an agency has reached the match cap.

Partner Agencies

  • Avodah
  • Bender JCC of Greater Washington
  • Capital Camps and Retreat Center
  • Charles E. Smith Life Communities
  • Edlavitch DCJCC
  • Garden of Remembrance
  • GatherDC (Matching cap reached)
  • JCADA
  • Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (Matching cap reached)
  • Jewish Council for the Aging
  • Makom (formerly Jewish Foundation for Group Homes)
  • JSSA
  • Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum
  • Moishe House
  • Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia
  • Sulam (Matching cap reached)
  • Sunflower Bakery and Café
  • Tzedek DC

Jewish Day Schools

  • Berman Hebrew Academy
  • Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School
  • Gesher Jewish Day School
  • Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation’s Capital
  • Torah School of Greater Washington
  • Yeshiva of Greater Washington

Youth Groups

  • BBYO
  • B’nai Akiva
  • Habonim Dror
  • National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY)
  • North American Federation of Temple Youth
  • Tzofim—Israeli Scouts
  • United Synagogue Youth (USY)

Local Hillels

  • American University
  • Gallaudet University
  • George Mason University
  • George Washington University
  • Georgetown University
  • University of Maryland

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the Jewish Community Foundation and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington offering the Donor Advised Fund (DAF) partner Agency Matching Program? What is its intended impact?

The DAF Partner Agency Matching Program is designed to infuse the Greater Washington Jewish community with an additional $2 million over two years, by matching $1 million given by the Jewish Community Foundation and The Jewish Federation with $1 million in charitable donations by community members.

Through this investment, we intend to:

  • Inspire and build a culture of giving in our community for the long-term
  • Increase communal giving to our local partner agencies
  • Strengthen partner agency fundraising in the short- and long-term
  • Further the Jewish Community Foundation’s value for donors by providing communal giving opportunities and multiplying the impact of their gifts
  • Grow the number of DAFs at the Foundation so that we can inspire more giving in our community over the long-term

How does the DAF Matching Program work for current donors?

For existing DAF holders who didn’t participate in year one, original program requirements apply: we will match any increased gift of $2,500 or more, up to $15,000 per eligible agency. Donors may give to as many agencies as they choose.

For donors who participated in year one, you can give again at the same level and we will match last year’s gift to the agency of your choice up to $15,000 per agency. Additional increases are encouraged and will be included in your match, but are not required.
Please note: If you want to give to an agency that did not receive an increase from you last year, original program requirements apply. We will match an increased gift of $2,500 or more up to $15,000 per agency.

What if I am not a current DAF holder and want to participate?

For donors new to the Jewish Community Foundation, you can participate by opening a DAF with our minimum fund balance of $50,000. We will match gifts of any size when donors open a DAF of $50,000 or more. Increased gifts are encouraged, but not required for a match.

When does the program start? What is the timeframe for donations to qualify?

The second year of our program begins July 1, 2024, with a goal to distribute another $1 million in donor and matched funds. To qualify for the 2024 match, gifts must be made by June 30, 2025. Our goal is to reach $2 million in distributed funds over the two years of the program (2023-2025).

What is the maximum match an agency can receive?

To ensure equitable distribution of matching funds across organizations of all sizes and missions, matching dollars will be capped at $25,000 per agency.

How do I know if an agency has reached their cap?

The Foundation will share the names of agencies who have reached their cap on the Foundation’s website. Additionally, partner agencies will be notified when their agency cap is reached so they can communicate the achievement of the cap to their donor community.

Where did the matching funds come from?

The $1M matching fund originated from uncommitted funds out of Federation’s Annual Campaign. Federation decided to use the funds to increase support for local partner agencies and enhance their overall fundraising efforts.

About the Agencies

Which agencies are eligible for the match?

All local Federation partner agencies serving and located in Greater Washington are eligible for the match, including local Hillels, day schools, and youth groups with local programming. Donations must support local programming efforts. National or international partner agencies are not eligible to receive matching funds at this time. See the list of eligible agencies here.

Are there any requirements for how the partner agencies use the donations?

There are no requirements placed on partner agencies for how the money is used. These gifts are intended to be unrestricted in order to help our partners increase their sustainability, plan for the future, and allocate the funds to their greatest need. If donors decide to designate a gift for a specific purpose, these grants will count towards the match.

When will the agencies receive donations and the matching grant?

Donations are processed in our normal grant cycle and go out between 7 to 14 days. Matching grants will be processed quarterly after verification process with the agencies of last year’s gift. Agencies will receive matching dollars within 60 days of the close of the quarter when the grant was made: November 30th, February 30th, May 30th, August 30th.

About Donor Advised Funds

What is a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)?

A Donor Advised Fund is a simple, flexible, and tax-advantaged way to give to your favorite charities. It’s a fund to which you contribute cash, securities, and other assets at the best time for your financial and tax planning for the purpose of supporting the causes you care most about when you choose. Learn more about DAFs.

How do I open a Jewish Community Foundation DAF to participate in the program?

You can open a DAF with a simple fund agreement and a gift. To get started email Elizabeth Goldstein or call 301-230-7228.

How do I move a DAF from another institution to the Jewish Community Foundation?

First, open a DAF with the Foundation. Then, to transfer funds, request a grant from your existing DAF to your new DAF. You may transfer all of the assets in your existing DAF or a portion of the funds to the new DAF.

What are the benefits of being a DAF holder at the Jewish Community Foundation?

Joining our community of donor advised fundholders benefits you, your family, and the Jewish community in many ways:

  • Assets stay within the Jewish community and competitive fees support Jewish communal work
  • Personalized service and philanthropic guidance, including opportunities to engage your children or other family members in philanthropy and grow the impact of your giving
  • The capacity to accept gifts of complex assets, including small business interests and real estate
  • Access to unique communities of learning grounded in Jewish values and teaching, including a focus on intergenerational learning and effective philanthropic practice
  • Collaborative funding vehicles to leverage the impact of your giving with others who share your interests

Learn more about Jewish Community Foundation Donor Advised Funds.

MAKE A GRANT RECOMMENDATION THROUGH YOUR DAF TODAY
To ensure your gift is matched, include a special designation when making your grant of “DAF Partner Agency Matching Program.”

Eligible partners can register for the program here.

Questions? Contact Elizabeth Goldstein at foundation@shalomdc.org or 301-230-7228.

The Jewish Community Foundation and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington do not offer tax, financial, or legal advice.
Please consult your advisors.

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