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Announcement from JCF, Leichtag Foundation, and Impact Cubed
Effective August 1, we will recombine and integrate our philanthropic advisory services, educational offerings, nonprofit capacity building efforts, and commitment to supporting strong Jewish and civic organizations. This opens exciting and transformative opportunities for our community of funders and nonprofits.
In the wake of surging engagement in Jewish life and growing connection with Israel, as well as critical challenges facing our Jewish community and overall uncertainty for nonprofits, we will meet this consequential moment by combining efforts to invest deeply in the capacity of our community’s philanthropists and nonprofits to make meaningful social change.
As one organization, we will strengthen and enhance JCF’s nearly 60-year record of expertly guiding philanthropic priorities, strategies and capacity building for our Jewish community, the San Diego region, and Israel. With this integration, we unite and strengthen as concierge, convener, and philanthropy experts – now with greater reach and enhanced opportunities for caring, strategic funders to make meaningful change. Together, we will combine our knowledge in best practices for nonprofits and our reputation with on-the-ground organizational leaders to expand JCF’s capacity as a trusted partner for Jewish and secular organizations in San Diego and in Israel.
Jeremy Pearl will continue as the chief professional at JCF as CEO. Charlene Seidle will join the staff as President and Chief Philanthropy Officer of JCF, while retaining her role as President and CEO of Leichtag Foundation during its wind-down phase. Leichtag Foundation and Impact Cubed’s philanthropic services professionals will become part of the JCF team, and Impact Cubed will be dissolved. Leichtag Commons will remain a separate entity under Leichtag Foundation and will embark on an exciting community visioning and planning process during the wind-down.
JCF has served philanthropists, nonprofits, and the San Diego community with the highest standards of trust, integrity, and governance for nearly 60 years. Impact Cubed, a nonprofit established by Leichtag Foundation to scale its expertise, relationships and strategic philanthropic acumen, is known for an entrepreneurial, boutique approach that strategically engages, connects, and supports informed philanthropists and nonprofits.
JCF, Leichtag Foundation, and Impact Cubed also share a long and meaningful history of collaboration. In its initial independent years, Leichtag Foundation was fully staffed and supported by and through JCF. Leichtag Foundation invested in JCF’s infrastructure and critical community education programs. More recently, Leichtag Foundation, Impact Cubed, and JCF have collaborated alongside other Jewish organizations on special giving initiatives, engaging and informative educational programs, emergency giving opportunities and jointly administered funds.
Working closely alongside and in support of Jewish Federation of San Diego, together, we will be uniquely equipped to address pressing community needs, celebrate joyous Jewish life, combat antisemitism, and rebuild and revitalize Israel.
Jewish Community Foundation San Diego combines donor-driven philanthropy, investing, and education for maximum benefit in the community. JCF oversees almost $900 million in assets and has enabled over $2 billion in grants since its founding in 1967 through thousands of donors in more than 135,000 grants to over 9,000 nonprofits, locally, nationally, in Israel and abroad.
Leichtag Foundation honors the legacy of Lee and Toni Leichtag (z”l) by igniting and inspiring vibrant Jewish life, advancing self-sufficiency and stimulating social entrepreneurship in coastal North San Diego County and Jerusalem. Leichtag Foundation became an independent private foundation at the end of 2007 following the passing of founder Max “Lee” Leichtag (z”l) and subsequent passing of founder Andre “Toni” Leichtag (z”l), adopting a modified limited-life plan to deploy its remaining assets with urgency and focus. Since becoming independent, Leichtag Foundation has granted more than $140 million to hundreds of nonprofits and change initiatives primarily in San Diego and Israel. Leichtag Foundation also owns and operates the internationally recognized Leichtag Commons, known as a platform for social change, Jewish life, and innovation.
Impact Cubed, a nonprofit launched and staffed by Leichtag Foundation, stimulates philanthropy and builds social sector capacity by guiding philanthropists and impact investors, facilitating funder consortiums, consulting on nonprofit capacity, and offering philanthropy education initiatives.
Jeremy Pearl President and CEO, Miriam and Jerome Katzin Presidential Chair, Jewish Community Foundation
Charlene Seidle President and CEO, Leichtag Foundation / Impact Cubed