Jewish Family Services (JFS) received a $100,000 gift from the Barton P. Cohen and Mary Davidson Cohen Charitable Trust housed at Midwest Trust Company. This gift was the first $100,000 donation to the $5 million JFS 120th Anniversary campaign.
In addition, the trust made an additional $25,000 gift for celebration sponsorship, bringing the total donation to $125,000.
“I learned about philanthropy from my dad,” said Tom Cohen, son of Barton Cohen (who died in 2006). “He would take me to his Rotary Club meetings where I experienced people coming together to make a difference. I recently rejoined the Rotary Club. I feel it’s a way to honor my dad.”
“Helping others, lifting people up is the right thing to do. JFS has been doing that for 120 years,” Cohen said during a JFS reception to celebrate the gift. “It’s a natural fit for my father’s trust to support JFS in its mission.”
Brad Bergman, founder and CEO of Midwest Trust Company and trustee for the Cohens’ Trust, helped steward the gift.
“Being a history enthusiast, I researched what Bart Cohen’s interests had been in his lifetime so his legacy could continue,” Bergman said. “The work JFS does for people of all ages, ethnic diversities and faiths echo Bart’s beliefs. It’s a perfect match to have the Bart Cohen Trust make this special gift to JFS for its 120th anniversary.”
Don Goldman, CEO and executive director of JFS, was impressed with the hours Tom Cohen and Bergman spent visiting JFS’ two facilities to learn about various JFS programs.
“They were quite engaged and asked insightful questions,” Goldman said. “When JFS received their gift, we were delighted, but also quite touched by this generosity. The Bart Cohen Trust set the pace for the campaign. We now have at least 10 gifts of this size and have raised more than $4 million in just 11 months.”
During the reception, Bob Regnier, a member of one of JFS’ 120th anniversary honorary families, shared kind words about Barton Cohen, whom he knew over his years in business.
“Bart Cohen was a prominent banker in the community,” Regnier said. “Bart would have loved knowing his trust is supporting such an essential organization in our community.”
Those interested in giving opportunities for JFS can contact JFS Chief Development Officer Debbie Bass, MPA, CFRE, at or call (913) 327-8299. Donations may also be made at jfskc.org/ways-to-give.