 JUDY AND STEVE AUGUST KATIE PELLICO PHOTOContinuing the Tradition of Tzedakah
Steve and Judy August have long believed in the power of education and opportunity to transform lives. Steve was raised with a guiding sense of Tzedakah, the Jewish concept of living charitably. “It’s the idea that you need to commit an act of charity on a regular basis,” he explains.
Steve, a longtime financial advisor, volunteers to teach personal finance to individuals who were formerly incarcerated. Judy, a retired school psychologist, has served as a community reviewer for The Community Foundation’s responsive grant process.
“What I really like about The Foundation is they vet organizations, so I am very confident in giving money to them,” Judy says.
Steve and Judy’s shared values of education, opportunity, and community are reflected in their philanthropy. Since becoming eligible to take required minimum distributions from their retirement accounts, the couple has made qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) to support The Foundation’s Community Fund for Women & Girls and its Community Now Fund.
This year their support coincides with the 30th anniversary celebration of the Community Fund for Women & Girls. Thanks to donors like Steve and Judy, the Fund will continue to drive change long into the future as Greater New Haven’s only charitable endowment focused on women and girls.
Steve and Judy’s story reminds us that philanthropy is most powerful when it reflects our values. As members of the Nettie Dayton Circle, their values will be honored forever. |
