How It Works

1. Fund Report.  Your fund report shows the value of your fund as of the last day of the calendar year and the amount you can recommend to be given to charity.
2. How Much You Can Give.
   • ​​On the line called “Available To Distribute” we have calculated the amount you can give away this year.  This amount is based on your fund balance.o
     • ​If your fund balance is under $500, then your report does not have a line called “Available To Distribute.”  However, despite this, you can still donate $25.00.o If your fund balance is over $500 but under $1,500, you may donate 5% of the balance.
     • If your fund balance is $1,500 or more, you may donate 10% of the fund balance.o
     • Everyone who has a fund can give away at least $25.
   • The minimum recommendation you can make to any one organization is $25.
3. Where You Can Give.
   • If you have under $100 in the “Available To Distribute” line, then you may make a recommendation exclusively to a Jewish charity.
   • If you have at least $100 in the “Available To Distribute” line, then you may make a recommendation to a Jewish or non-Jewish charity. However, recommendations to non-Jewish charities may not be more than 25% of the total you are giving away.  So, for example, if you have $100 in the “Available To Distribute” line, you may give $25 (which is 25% of that total amount) to a non-Jewish charity.
   • Your recommendation must be made to a §501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
4. How To Fill Out the Recommendation Form. 
   • Complete a recommendation form for each organization to which you wish to make a contribution.  Fill in the name of your fund on the line that says “Name of My B’nai Tzedek Fund.”  Write the name of the charitable organization you want to give to where it says “Organization I Want to Donate to.”  You may specify any particular program at that agency if you like.  Also, fill in the amount you wish to donate on the appropriate line.
5. What Happens Next.
   • The Foundation office will check to make sure that the organization(s) you selected are tax-exempt (we’ll call you if they aren’t, or you can call ahead to check).  Then we present your recommendation(s) to the Advisory Committee on Distributions, which approves all grants from funds in the Jewish Foundation of Greater Nashville.
   • Once approved, checks will be sent to the organization(s) you’ve selected, along with a letter indicating that the gift is from your fund.
6. Questions.  If you have any questions, please contact Leeron Stark Resnick at 615-354-1698 and she will be happy to assist you.
7. Please remember to add to your fund throughout the year so that it can grow over time and allow you to make more gifts!