Boy meets girl. They court, fall in love, and get married. Together, they're active in the community and passionate about giving back. As a couple, they support various causes, donate to multiple charities, and offer their time and talents to make a difference. Yet, despite their generosity, they find themselves wondering if their giving could have a more significant impact—if there's a way to bring more strategy and purpose to their charitable efforts.

This is where the Tidewater Jewish Foundation (TJF) steps in. Through their tailored philanthropy planning services, TJF helps families like this couple take their charitable giving to the next level. By focusing on a comprehensive, three-step approach, TJF assists families in uncovering their philanthropic values, developing a clear plan, and staying engaged to ensure long-term success and meaningful impact.

Step 1: Uncovering Philanthropic Values

TJF begins by exploring the unique values and motivations that drive each family member’s charitable giving. By engaging in a “philanthropic audit,” families can reflect on their core beliefs and preferences. TJF takes a broad view of philanthropy, recognizing that modern giving involves more than just financial donations—it includes volunteering, attending community events, supporting current-event causes, and much more.

Naomi Limor Sedek, President and CEO of Tidewater Jewish Foundation, explains, “Philanthropy is deeply personal, and each family’s journey is unique. Our goal is to help families create a giving legacy that reflects their values and has a lasting impact on both their family and our community.”

Step 2: Crafting the Philanthropy Plan

Once family values are identified, TJF develops a detailed philanthropy plan. This plan outlines the culture and values the family wants to establish, strategies for fostering strong family connections, and recommendations for integrating the giving plan with estate planning. TJF also provides systems for measuring the effectiveness of the family’s charitable efforts, ensuring that the plan remains impactful over time.

TJF believes in the concept of "The Journey," recognizing that philanthropy can begin at any stage of life—whether at birth, during a bar or bat mitzvah, or at any milestone along the way. This journey represents a lifelong commitment to giving back and ensuring that the legacies of our ancestors live on. "The Journey of philanthropy is not bound by time," says Sedek. “Every step taken—whether big or small—creates ripples of impact that will benefit generations to come. We are here to meet families wherever they are on this journey and guide them forward.”

Step 3: Ongoing Support and Engagement

To ensure long-term success, TJF emphasizes the importance of regular communication and engagement. TJF works closely with families to schedule check-ins, providing resources, online tools, and expert guidance. This ongoing support helps families stay aligned with their giving goals, continuing their journey of philanthropy as their values and priorities evolve.

With TJF’s extensive experience working with over 2,500 nonprofit organizations, families can access best practices in grantmaking, relationship-building with nonprofits, and multigenerational engagement strategies.

At TJF, no matter where a family is on The Journey, TJF’s personalized philanthropy services can meet them at every step, creating a lasting legacy for future generations.

The team at TJF is here to partner with you on this journey. Schedule an appointment for a legacy conversation, today. nsedek@tjfva.org or 757-965-6109