This year, the Jewish Community Foundation’s J-LEAD program is celebrating its 20th year of impacting the Jewish community through collective grantmaking and volunteering.
New members are invited to join J-LEAD (Jewish Leadership, Education, Action and Development), a giving circle for adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s. By pooling together resources and collectively making grant decisions, J-LEAD members are able to achieve a greater good than any one member could alone. Members may join for a $500 charitable contribution, and for a limited time, new members may join for only $250. Since the program began in 2005, J-LEAD has granted hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Jewish community.
In addition to increasing the impact of their philanthropy, J-LEAD allows members to forge connections within the Jewish community. Through collective decision-making and volunteer and social activities, J-LEAD members engage with peers who share their passion for making a difference. The program also offers educational resources and opportunities for members to deepen their understanding of philanthropy, Jewish values and community needs. By educating and empowering members, J-LEAD works to equip them to make informed decisions about their charitable giving and become more effective philanthropists. J-LEAD also offers opportunities for leadership development and is a platform for networking and mentorship.
“Learning about the incredible agencies serving our Jewish community was one of the most meaningful parts of J-LEAD,” member Alissa Eisemann said. “It gave me a clear sense of where my time and support can make a difference beyond the program. And doing that alongside other young Jewish adults who care deeply about making an impact showed me how powerful we can be when we act together.”
The J-LEAD program is co-chaired by Becky Barnett and Abby Lane.
“Giving back has been a core value in my life since childhood — something my family instilled in me early on,” Barnett said. “As a social worker and former Jewish communal professional, I’m honored to co-chair J-LEAD in its 20th granting year and build upon its legacy of collective impact. I love that J-LEAD not only brings young adults together to meet real needs in our Jewish community, but also helps us teach our children the power of working together to make a difference."
“I’m honored and excited to co-chair J-LEAD this year,” Lane said. “For me, J-LEAD has served as a pathway to a deeper investment and connection in the Jewish community. I’ve had the opportunity to learn about giving — both financially and with my time — alongside my peers, friends and family. As J-LEAD celebrates 20 years of collective giving, I’m excited to help build and sustain this legacy of investing in the incredible organizations in our community serving the Kansas City area.”
More information about J-LEAD is available at jcfkc.org/jlead or by contacting Suzanne Galblum Dicken at (913) 327-8286 or .
