Program Guide for Parents & Teens

Benefit of Establishing a Bar or Bat Mitzvah Fund
Establishing a Bar or Bat Mitzvah fund provides young people with the opportunity to create positive change in their community. Having a fund teaches them about the importance of giving and the value of Tzedakah, and sets them on the path of life-long giving!

How To Start a Fund
A fund can be opened in the name of a Calgary Bar or Bat Mitzvah child affiliated to their synagogue by anyone who wishes to honour a child before or at the time of his or her becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Funds may be established by children, their parents, grandparents and family friends. Anyone can make a contribution to the fund, either at the time of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah or at any other time for any occasion. The minimum amount needed to establish a Bar or Bat Mitzvah Fund is $100.

Program Contributions & Investment
If the fund reaches $750 within two years of initiation, the program benefactors, Faigel and Lenny Shapiro, will contribute $250. If the Fund capital of any fund does not reach the amount of $750 within a two-year period after initialisation, the Benefactors will not become liable for the additional $250 contribution.

As part of its contribution to the program, JCFC agrees to waive any administrative fees relating to the administration of the Faigel and Lenny Shapiro Teen Philanthropy Program.

Once the fund reaches the $1,000 level, the fund becomes donor-advised. Donor-advised means that the fund-holder (the former Bar or Bat Mitzvah) is invited to direct the income from the fund on an annual basis to any registered charity in Canada.

If a Fund's capital does not reach or exceed $1,000 at the time the fund-holder reaches age 25, the capital will be added to the General Heritage Fund of the JCFC and the Fund shall be closed.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Funds Becoming Regular Funds
A Bar/Bat Mitzvah fund-holder can choose to have their fund become a regular fund at the Foundation once he/she is an adult. Bar/Bat Mitzvah Funds will be transferred into regular funds at the time the fund-holder turns 25. Prior to turning 25, the fund-holder will be advised that the time is approaching when their fund will be treated on a consistent basis with other Foundation funds.

Upon the capital of any individual program fund reaching the amount of $5,000, such fund would graduate from the Teen Philanthropy Program to become an endowment fund under the Donor's name with the JCFC and as such will become liable for the nominal administration fees relating to similar funds.

Fund Establishment Timing
Bar and Bat Mitzvah Funds can be established in the young person's honour at any time. They do not need to be opened at the time of the life cycle event.

How to Begin
Anyone who is interested in establishing a Bar or Bat Mitzvah Fund is encouraged to contact the Jewish Community Foundation of Calgary on (403) 640 2273 and speak with Phyllis D'Aguiar, Fund Development Manager.

Tribute Cards for The Faigel and Lenny Shapiro Teen Philanthropy Program
As part of helping to make the Faigel and Lenny Shapiro Teen Philanthropy Program a success, two new Tribute cards taken from original paintings will be added to our Tribute Card page. Cards from these paintings will be designated to acknowledge donations of $18 or more to any B'nai Mitzvah fund held by the JCFC as part of the Faigel and Lenny Shapiro Teen Philanthropy Program.