Common Ground

For Julie and Jay Jacobi giving back is a privilege and a joy. A joy they are generously sharing by supporting the causes they care about through their charitable giving funds at the Community Foundation. “Working with the Community Foundation was a way to manage what we wanted to do short-term and long-term in ways we wouldn’t be able to do on our own,” says Jay. “When you know how much you want to give, but you don’t know where to give it at the time, it’s nice to put the money in a charitable giving fund so as needs come up you can offer support.”

As the Community Foundation team has worked with the Jacobi family, connections have been made to support their areas of interest. “There are always things that come up that cannot be anticipated. That is where the Community Foundation comes in. Once they know where you like to focus your philanthropy and where your interests lie, they can match you up,” say Julie.

One interest is helping disadvantaged youth, which is why the Jacobi family generously offered their support to Freedom for Youth. When the Community Foundation learned of a variety of needs at the organization, including a new air conditioning unit and the building of a recently opened coffee shop to teach job skills, the Jacobi family was interested in providing support. “Being a part of the growth of Freedom for Youth has been a really fun road to travel,” says Jay. “We appreciate the Community Foundation’s knowledge of our community’s nonprofits. The connections they’ve made have helped us to magnify the impact of our giving.”