 |
|
|
| |
WHY IS ENDOWMENT IMPORTANT?
By Ron Simon, Endowment Committee Member
Endowment is important, because of what it does now and in the future. Many of us have attended colleges which had the benefit of large endowments, donated by alumni and friends in years which preceded our attendance there. Those endowment gifts benefited those of us who attended such colleges by lowering tuition, supporting various activities, and making attendance more affordable.
The beauty of such gifts is that they continue to benefit succeeding groups of students-the endowment which benefited you, when you were a student, is benefiting other students right now. That is a wonderful thing about endowment-it gives, gives, and continues to give-benefiting far more people than one might initially imagine.
Another way to look at endowment is to characterize it as similar to the money that builds physical facilities for an institution. Those who donate the money for buildings at colleges are benefiting thousands of future students in the same way endowment money benefits them-the building provides a place to study, while the income from the endowment makes the studying more affordable.
Similarly, those who contributed to the capital fund that built our new synagogue have made a contribution to create a facility that they will enjoy-and that will be enjoyed and used by generations of people who will follow them in the future. An endowment fund is like those bricks and mortar-it lasts forever, and continues to benefit those who follow us, making it easier for the Congregation to provide its support to more people. Thus, when we ask you to consider making an endowment gift to Congregation Beth Israel, we are asking you to focus on the future-on your children, your grandchildren, and on all those who will be members of this wonderful Congregation in the next 50 and 100 years.
Your endowment will strengthen the Congregation, making it easier to meet the needs of our Jewish community at a cost that can be afforded by everyone who wants to be a member. By making an endowment gift, either through a current gift or through a bequest, you are helping to build a stronger financial structure for Congregation Beth Israel, and helping to assure its ability to continue serving the entire Jewish community in San Diego.
Shalom,
Ron Simon
Endowment Committee Member
If you are interested in a confidential appointment to explore ways in which you may wish to make an endowment gift, please contact Stuart Simmons, Executive Director, at 858-535-1111 ext. 3113.
Merle Brodie, a member of our congregation and our Endowment Committee, serves as Director of Philanthropy at the Jewish Community Foundation. If you are interested in learning more about tax saving strategies through charitable giving, please call Merle at 858-279-2740.Return to articles about endowment go to top
|
|
|
|
