The Tidewater Jewish Foundation was created in 1984 to establish deep roots of philanthropy that would bear fruit for future generations. Its formation made it possible for individuals to fulfill their philanthropic intent and to enrich their lives through tzedakah.  The origins of the Foundation, however, go back much farther to 1969 when a grass-roots campaign to collect letters of intent and help strengthen the community’s future began.

By 1980, the Endowment Fund reached the million-dollar mark. Donor-Advised and Memorial Funds were established by members of the community as a means to enjoy spiritual and emotional rewards and to create a mechanism for the distribution of funds in a tax-favored manner.