How Teens are making a difference
Think you need to be an adult to be a philanthropist? Think again! Jewish teens are making a difference here in Minneapolis and around the world through the Genesis Mitzvah Fund Program.
What is a Genesis Mitzvah Fund?
Genesis Mitzvah Funds are typically established through contributions made in honor of a young person becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. However, funds may be established at any time.
Once the fund balance reaches $1,000, it will begin to accrue interest. Then the fundholder can begin to make annual distributions from the investment income to charitable organizations that are important to him or her.
How is a fund established?
A fund can be set up in a number of ways:
- Family members can set up the fund with an initial gift.
- Bar/Bat Mitzvah guests are invited to make a direct contribution to the fund. ( See sample invitation insert below.)
- The young person can set up the fund after his/her Bar or Bat Mitzvah from gifts received.
Additional contributions may be made any time as gifts to honor birthdays, confirmation, graduation or other special accomplishments. Donations may also be made to the fund as a tribute to other special people or events.
Sample wording for invitation insert
In celebration of my Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the ________ Genesis Mitzvah Fund has been established at the Jewish Community Foundation of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation. I would be honored if you would make a donation to this fund. Each year, when I distribute income earned from this fund to worthy causes, I will be reminded of the mitzvot of tzedakah and tikkun olam. Thank you.
Organizations supported by Genesis Mitzvah fundholders
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Inc.
American Jewish World Service
American Red Cross
Americares Foundation, Inc.
Animal Humane Society
ASPCA
Beth El Synagogue
Camp Ramah
Children's Health Care Foundation
Children's Home Society
Citizens Scholarship Foundation of America
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America
Darchei Noam Synagogue
Doctors Without Borders USA Inc.
Evanston Parks Foundation
Friends of Yad LKashish-Lifeline for the Old
Gillette Childrens Hospital Foundation
Hadassah
Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School
Herzl Camp
Hillel Foundation-U of Oregon
JCRC of Minnesota and the Dakotas
Jewish Community Foundation of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation
Kennesseth Israel Synagogue
Magen David Adom, U.S.A.
Masorti Foundation for Conservative Judaism in Israel
Mercy Corps International
Mazon Inc. a Jewish Response to Hunger
Mike Gallagher Show Charitable Foundation
Minneapolis Community Kollel
Minneapolis Jewish Federation
Nechama - Jewish Disaster Response
Nefesh B'nefesh Jewish Souls United Inc.
Northwestern University
Open Arms of Minnesota, Inc.
Project Foundation Home Away Centers, Inc.
Sharing and Caring Hands
St Louis Park Public Schools Foundation
STEP
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation
Synagogue Council of Massachesetts Inc.
Talmud Torah of St. Paul
Transition House
United Jewish Communities
United Nations Foundation
United Synagogue Conservative Judaism
Genesis Mitzvah Fundholder Profile
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