So, you’re ready to think strategically about your giving. 

Maybe you’ve spent the last few years giving on autopilot, with automatic annual donations that you only remember when tax season rolls around (no judgment!). Maybe you’ve just landed a job that leaves room in your budget for increased generosity or includes an employer-matching gift.

Whatever the case, you should feel proud that you’re thinking about ways to maximize your impact. 

But this requires more than merely cutting a check. To give generously, you must give with intent—you must give strategically.

Meet Janine Winkler Lowy

Janine Winkler Lowy is a Los Angeles-based philanthropist and founder of the Winkler-Lowy Foundation. Lowy leads the foundation in supporting a range of  organizations that strengthen the Jewish community. 

Lowy has shared with us her tips for donors looking to maximize the impact of their gifts:

Picking A Cause:

Janine Lowy recommends beginning by reflecting on what’s personally important to you. For her family, that was easy: “Our Jewish heritage is fundamental to our identity,” Lowy said. Their faith and love for the Jewish community is the driving factor behind the Foundation’s giving.

Janine Lowy explained that you should feel genuine passion and excitement around your cause – it’s important to feel motivated and personally invested in your gifts. If you don’t feel pride when you see your work making a difference, you haven’t found the right issue yet.

Making An Impact:

Next, consider how you can make an impact in that space.

“The Winkler Lowy Foundation believes in the power of people and the central importance of communities where everybody has access to resources to contribute, learn, and grow,” said Lowy. “We invest in the people and programs that engage, educate, uplift, and unite our Jewish community.”

Establishing this personal “north star” mission can be grounding. It will provide a guide to streamline your giving – ultimately laddering up to a more meaningful impact for your cause of choice.

Getting To Work:

From there, it’s about identifying the people and organizations doing good work in that area. How can you further your mission?

For Janine Winkler Lowy, that often means expanding access to the deeply meaningful activities and experiences that her children enjoyed. For example, Jewish summer camp was a fundamental experience, so many of Janine Lowy’s gifts serve to nurture those lifelong memories for other young campers.

But don’t feel restricted by your mission. Often, you can support a variety of causes within that overarching purpose. “We also advocate for the policies that help our community thrive in the Diaspora and Israel,” Lowy explained. “We’ll consider any program that leads to a strong, vibrant, and pluralistic Israeli society.” 

Going Above And Beyond:

Donating funds is only the first step in making a real impact, said Janine Lowy. Ideally, you’ll support in other ways. Lowy suggests considering board service or volunteer opportunities. 

And don’t forget to continue to check in on the grantee organization’s work – look to leverage data to hone your giving strategy going forward.

About The Winkler Lowy Foundation:

The Winkler-Lowy Foundation was founded by Janine Winkler Lowy and her four children in 2019 to help ensure that all families can access formative Jewish programming that nourishes young minds, strengthens the future of the Jewish community, and builds bridges between Israel and the Diaspora.