Support Us
JSSA provides the highest-quality services to everyone in our community, regardless of their ability to pay. With your help last year, JSSA was able to help more than 15,000 people cope with many of life’s most difficult challenges.
Please find below some of the many ways that you can support JSSA, from annual giving options to donating your used car, to giving back with the precious gift of your time through our various volunteer opportunities. Your generosity helps us provide the critical services to all, from the very young to the most fragile senior in our community.
Ways to Give to JSSA
Annual giving options
If you itemize deductions, consider giving a charitable gift. It offers tax advantages to you while helping JSSA provide critical services to the most vulnerable in our community.
Checks and Credit Card Gifts
Cash donations at any time result in tax savings throughout the year! Your tax rate determines how much you save; the higher your rate, the more you save. If you are in the 39.6% tax bracket, a gift of $1,000 made before December 31, 2007, will save you $396 in 2007 federal taxes. Net cost of the gift: $604.
To make a cash contribution, choose one of the following:
Gifts of Appreciated Assets
Giving appreciated assets offers two distinct advantages:
- You can deduct the current fair market value of the asset.
- You avoid paying the capital gains tax on the appreciated value of the asset. (This applies to bonds, stocks, and mutual funds you have owned for at least a year and a day and that have increased in value.)
Example: Several years ago, you purchased some stock for $550. The shares are now worth $1,500. If you donate the stock to JSSA, you can save approximately $600 in federal taxes and avoid the $190 in capital gains tax you would pay if you sold the security.
Gifts of Israel Bonds
A gift to JSSA of Israel Bonds helps Israel and JSSA and provides you with a charitable deduction.
If you would like to explore end-of-year giving options with JSSA, contact Marc Breslaw, Vice President, Development, at 
301-610-8343 or send an 
email inquiry
Appreciated stocks and other assets
Giving appreciated assets offers two distinct advantages. You can deduct the current fair market value of the asset when you donate it. You also avoid paying the capital gains tax on the appreciated value of the asset. This applies to bonds, stocks, and mutual funds that you have owned for at least a year and a day and that have increased in value.
JSSA has an easy, convenient system for donors who wish to make a gift of stock to the Agency. Through a special arrangement with Wachovia Securities, LLC, which provides this service at minimal cost to the Agency, donors can use one of these simple procedures:
Electronic Transfer
Donors can have stocks electronically transferred from their individual brokerage accounts to the Agency's account at Wachovia. Please be aware that JSSA also has open accounts at Vanguard and Schwab. Donors should instruct their financial advisors to electronically transfer the stock to the Jewish Social Service Agency Fund, (account number 4563-6127 T695 DTC #0141 at Wachovia Securities Financial Network, LLC (WSFN), Member NASD/SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and separate nonblank affiliate of Wachovia Corporation.)
Certificates
Donors making gifts in certificate form should endorse the back of the certificate to Jewish Social Service Agency Fund and mail the certificate to:
The Olcott Consulting Group
2010 Corporate Ridge, Suite 560
McLean, VA 22102
Any questions regarding these procedures should be addressed to Ms. Linsey Tokar at the Olcott Consulting Group, 703-720-5980. Please call, e-mail or write to Bob Johnson, chief financial officer, JSSA, if you have any questions, or to let us know what stocks you are transferring so that JSSA can appropriately acknowledge your contribution.
Mr. Johnson can be reached by telephone at 
301-610-8304 or by 
e-mail or by mail: JSSA, 200 Wood Hill Road, Rockville, MD 20850.
We encourage you to contact your attorney, accountant or financial advisor to discuss the specifics of your particular situation.
Bequests and other planned gifts
Planned Giving: Ensuring JSSA's Long-Term Ability to Serve the Most Vulnerable in our Community with a Tax-Advantaged Gift
To make a planned gift to JSSA, please contact Marc Breslaw, Vice President, Development, at 301-610-8343 or send an email inquiry
JSSA deeply appreciates the support of those individuals who make a commitment to support JSSA's future through a planned gift. By offering JSSA your financial support through a long-term gift -- such as a bequest, a gift of an insurance policy or creation of a charitable trust -- you help ensure that the Washington metropolitan area will continue to benefit from JSSA's critical services in the years ahead. In addition, by offering JSSA your financial support through a deferred gift such as a charitable trust or annuity, you will achieve tax advantages as well as an income stream, if desired.
The following list includes a number of options that may be considered in exploring a planned gift to JSSA. These are general planning ideas only, and you should consult your attorney, accountant or financial advisor as to the specifics.
Immediate Donation
An immediate gift to JSSA will generally provide you with a current income tax deduction. A gift of appreciated stock or other property will also eliminate the capital gains tax that would apply if you sold the stock or property.
Donations of all types to JSSA can be unrestricted or they can be directed to a particular agency program.
If you are interested in making a donation "in kind" (other than publicly traded stock), such as computer equipment, art work, frequent flyer airline miles, copyrights, patents, promissory notes etc., please contact us to discuss how this can be arranged.
Making JSSA a beneficiary under your will is one of the easiest ways to offer JSSA long-term support without a current cost. The bequest will be tax-deductible upon your death, and as a consequence, will reduce your estate tax.
Bequests to JSSA can take many forms. For example, you could leave JSSA a specific dollar amount, or a percentage of your residuary estate. When identifying JSSA in a will or other similar document, please use our full legal name listed at the end of this screen.
You may choose to set up a charitable remainder trust under which you (and/or a designee) would receive income for life or for a period you specify (not to exceed 20 years). After that period, the trust assets would be transferred to JSSA as a permanent gift. You will obtain an income-tax deduction for the present value of the portion of the gift that JSSA will ultimately receive. It may also be advantageous to contribute appreciated stock or other property to the charitable remainder trust to eliminate the capital gains tax that would be payable if you sold such stock or property. In that manner, non-income-producing assets can be donated to JSSA and replaced with assets producing a steady source of income payable to you or another person chosen by you.
You may choose to set up a charitable lead trust that will pay income to JSSA for the period you specify. After that period, the trust ends and the assets revert to you or to specified beneficiaries, such as children or grandchildren. You will obtain an income-tax deduction for the value of the portion of the gift to JSSA.
You may choose to make a gift of cash or investment assets to JSSA from which you will receive a steady income stream for life. You will obtain a tax deduction for the value of the portion of the gift to JSSA. You may also opt to defer the receipt of your annuity until a later time in your life when you expect your other sources of income to decrease. In this way, the charitable gift annuity can operate as a retirement vehicle.
You may choose to make a gift to JSSA from funds in your retirement asset (such as individual retirement accounts, 401K, Keough plans etc.) if it has grown beyond your needs. Another option is to make JSSA, or a charitable remainder trust for the benefit of JSSA, the beneficiary of your retirement fund proceeds.
Many people have taken advantage of the ability to save money in retirement vehicles free of income tax. As a result, your retirement asset may be one of your more sizable assets. This asset will be included in your estate for estate tax purposes. Furthermore, as assets are withdrawn from retirement plans, they are subject to income tax. Therefore, gifting a portion or all of your retirement asset to JSSA, or designating JSSA as a beneficiary of your retirement assets, is a particularly tax-efficient plan, because retirement assets are often subject to both the estate tax and to the income tax.
Life insurance is a relatively low-cost method of making a substantial gift to JSSA. And, if you irrevocably designate JSSA as the beneficiary and the owner of a life insurance policy, the premiums are tax-deductible. You may own a life insurance policy once needed to protect against a surviving spouse's obligation to pay a mortgage. Or, you may own a policy once needed to insure the financial security of a spouse and children. If your circumstances have changed, your life insurance policy may be an appropriate asset to gift to JSSA. Gifts can be made both of life insurance policies for which premiums remained unpaid or of life insurance policies for which the premiums have been completely paid.
You may own real property that you no longer wish to occupy or manage. In addition, if you have property that has appreciated in value, a sale of this property will most likely result in a large capital gains tax. You may wish to donate this property to JSSA and receive a charitable tax deduction and avoid the capital gains tax that would apply if the property was sold. Furthermore, if the property is not income-producing, your donation of it will not adversely affect your lifestyle.
It is also possible to retain the use of property for yourself, a spouse or other family member and to provide that upon your death and the second person's death, the property would be left to JSSA. You will receive an immediate charitable tax deduction for the value of the gift that JSSA will ultimately receive.
Often, individuals are interested in setting up a private foundation, not only for the advantages of the charitable deduction, but also because they want to have a significant amount of involvement in, and control of, the charitable giving process. They also want to set up a structure under which children and other family members can be brought in to perpetuate family charitable giving.
A private foundation is generally a separately incorporated tax-exempt organization that essentially operates as a grant-making organization. It is generally formed as a non-stock corporation and is managed by a board of trustees. A private foundation can be established during one's lifetime or under one's will. If you have already established a private foundation, you may consider making a grant to JSSA.
There are separate rules for private foundations under which the available tax deduction depends upon the donor and the type of property donated to the private foundation.
Similar to a private foundation, but more simplified, is a donor advised fund. You may wish to set up a donor advised fund with the United Jewish Endowment Fund through which you make suggestions as to what organizations, including JSSA, should eventually receive distributions. Contributions to the donor advised fund qualify for a charitable deduction in the year the contribution is made. If you contribute appreciated assets, you can avoid the imposition of the capital gains tax that would be payable if you sold the assets. The distributions from a donor advised fund to a designated charity may be made in your name.
JSSA encourages you to contact your attorney, accountant or financial advisor to discuss the specifics of your particular situation. Please provide the following information about JSSA:
Legal Name: Jewish Social Service Agency of Metropolitan Washington
Address: 6123 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852
Telephone: (301) 881-3700
Tax Status: Tax Id No. 530196598, JSSA is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) agency
CFC/United Way: Designate #8128 or CFCNA: #48469
Support JSSA through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) & the 
United Way
JSSA relies heavily on support received through designations from CFC and United Way. Remember – workplace giving is an easy way to make a larger gift to JSSA, since your contribution is made over time. If you choose JSSA to receive your workplace giving dollars, please use the following United Way designation code: #8128 or the CFC Charity Code: #48469.
Used car campaign
Make a contribution to JSSA without spending a cent! Donating a used car to JSSA can be much easier, and more advantageous, than selling it. It's easy, fast, and hassle-free:
- Locate the car title and email or call 301-585-CARS to arrange free pick-up.
- When the tow truck arrives, sign the title and give the title and keys to the driver.
- Please note that JSSA is licensed and bonded to accept vehicle donations. Cars 1993 and older must be in working condition.
Bombe Chest thrift shop
Don't throw it away! Don't put it in storage! Donate it to JSSA’s Bombe Chest thrift shop on Connecticut Avenue in Woodley Park. This eclectic shop features antiques, small furniture, furnishings, art, china, glassware, crystal and more! The profits from this all-volunteer store go directly to JSSA to subsidize services for families in greatest need. Every year, the store earns more than $40,000 for the Agency. Pickup may be arranged for large items.
Come in and visit!!
Print out this page or mention this ad on JSSA.org, and you'll receive 10% off any one item.
2629 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Call 202-387-7293 for more information.
Open Monday - Saturday
Hours: 10:30 am - 4:00 pm
