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The Jewish Endowment Foundation of Greater Charleston (formerly the Jewish Endowment Fund) is a supporting organization of two partnering organizations: Charleston Jewish Federation and Coastal Community Foundation. Its mission is to encourage donors to endow their support of Jewish and other charitable causes.

Fund Types

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)

Created by an individual or family for the benefit of organization(s) at the individual or family’s discretion. Minimum opening balance: $10,000

Designated Fund

Created by an individual or family for the benefit of an organization or program. Minimum opening balance: $15,000

Organizational Fund

Created by a Jewish organization for the long-term benefit of the organization. Minimum opening balance: $25,000

Scholarship Fund

Created to benefit students’ tuition or room and board. Minimum opening balance: $25,000

Unrestricted Fund

These funds meet emerging needs in the community, helping JEF always be responsive to needs as they arise. Funding decisions are made by the Board of Trustees. Minimum opening balance: $15,000

Field-of-Interest Fund

These funds support programs, projects and/or initiatives in a specific charitable area. Funds are distributed at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. Minimum opening balance: $10,000

Learn About CJF Endowment Funds

JEF was established in 1996 as a collection of funds, each created by a different donor for a distinct charitable purpose addressing JEF’s mission. The Jewish Endowment Foundation is overseen by a Board of Trustees and is invested under the direction of financial advisors at Coastal Community Foundation. Four percent is allotted from endowed funds each year for charitable giving. Additional gains are reinvested with the principal. This ensures endowments will benefit charitable organizations in our community every year in perpetuity.

Donations and legacy gifts can be made directly to new or existing endowment funds to grow the principal, helping to distribute more in charitable grants each year. Larger endowments not only mean more money for our community, but lower fees as well. Administrative fees for the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Greater Charleston are competitive with industry standards and are as follows:

 

  • Minimum $250 fee or

  • 1% for fund balances of $0 - $1,000,000

  • 0.75% for fund balances > $1,000,000

  • 0.50% for fund balances > $5,000,000