There are many ways, large and small, to support the vision of the Golda Meir/Kent Jewish Center.

Like many other non-profit organizations, the Golda Meir/Kent Jewish Center must reply on the generosity and support of the community to expand programming and enable the organization to grow.  Membership dues and program fees cover about 65% of the operating costs our Center.  The Center needs to raise the remaining funds from individuals like you, foundations and corporations.

The Center needs funds to:

• Continue and expand quality programs for people of all ages including the summer day Camp or Hashemesh, enrichment activities, sports and aquatics for seniors, youth and teens, and activities and special events.

• Continue to provide quality educational and cultural programming such as our  joint Jewish Film Festival and Israel Independence Day, family events, Jewish Holiday celebrations, Purim and Passover dinner and more!

• Support programs and activities for seniors including social, recreational and stay healthy exercise programs such as the Arthritis Foundation Water Exercise.

• Enable children who cannot afford the fees to attend camp  through scholarship support.

• Secure the future of the Center for our children, grandchildren, seniors, families and the entire community to enjoy.

Please make checks payable to the Golda Meir/Kent Jewish Center. We also accept Visa and MasterCard.

Contributions to the Golda Meir/Kent Jewish Center, a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, are deductible for computing income and estate taxes.

A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling 800-435-7352 within Florida. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendations by the state. One hundred percent (100%) of each contribution is retained by our organization.

Humanitarian Dinner

Humanitarian is defined as someone who cares, has a true love of mankind, a philanthropist! The word humanitarian invariably refers to a person who very much cares about their fellow human beings, is interested in their lives and shows good will towards everyone.

The Golda Meir/Kent Jewish Center Humanitarian Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to philanthropic efforts in Pinellas & Pasco Counties and the Tamp Bay Community. Twenty three awards have been presented to date.

Endowments and Planned Giving

Leaving a legacy for the Golda Meir/Kent Jewish Center through the creation of an endowment or through a planned gift to support the Center’s programs and services now, and in perpetuity can play a leading role in meeting the needs of the Jewish community.

A planned gift to the Golda Meir/Kent Jewish Center helps ensure the continuity and strength of our Center with new or expanded services.  You can create an endowment to match your interests whether it be for Building & Facilities, Staff Development, General Operations, children's programs, summer camp, senior activities, scholarships, Jewish cultural events, sports & fitness or any program or service the Center provides. Planned giving opportunities such as bequests, life income arrangements and gifts of insurance are some other ways to help secure the future of the Center.

Planned Giving

There are many ways to leave a legacy.  Planned gifts come in a variety of forms, many of which can provide financial benefits to their donors.  Speak with your attorney or financial advisor to determine if one or more of the following types of planned gift options may be right for you.

Gifts Made Through Your Will

These are gifts made from your estate, after your death, as a result of provisions in your will. With charitable bequests, you can preserve assets during your lifetime and make gifts to the Center only after you have provided for loved ones and yourself.

Gifts of Real Estate

Gifts of real estate can provide tremendous support to the Center while entitling donors to a charitable income tax deduction for the fair market value of the property on the date of gift. Also, any appreciation in the value above the donor's cost basis avoids capital gains taxes.

Gifts of Appreciated Securities

Gifts to the Center of appreciated securities held more than one year, most often common stocks, entitle the donor to a charitable income tax deduction for the fair market value of the securities on the date of gift. Additionally, you avoid capital gains taxes that would otherwise be due on the appreciation if you sold the security.

Charitable Remainder Trusts

Charitable remainder trust gifts to the Center can be funded with cash, appreciated securities or certain other assets. Charitable remainder trusts are tax-exempt, therefore appreciated assets transferred to the trust can then be sold without triggering capital gains taxes. The funding of a charitable remainder trust entitles you to a charitable income tax deduction for a portion of the fair market value of the gift assets. Because these assets are removed from your estate and, to the extent your estate is taxable, you can avoid estate taxes.

Charitable Gift Annuities

Gift annuities may be particularly attractive to donors with highly appreciated, low-yielding assets who want to increase the cash flow from their investments and avoid or defer capital gains taxes. Gift annuities involve a transfer of cash, appreciated securities or certain other assets to the Center in exchange for our commitment to make periodic payments to you and/or a designated income beneficiary for life.

Charitable Lead Trusts

With a charitable lead trust, donors transfer assets to the trust and establish a fixed amount or annual percentage that is paid to the Center for a term of years. After this term, the trust directs that the remainder be paid back to the donor, or the donor's children or grandchildren. This provides an opportunity to support the Center and subsequently transfer significant assets to family members with little or no tax liability.

Retirement Account Assets

By giving retirement account assets as gifts to the JCC of Dallas, donors avoid both income and estate taxes that would otherwise be due at the time of death. Other less heavily taxed assets are then available to fulfill bequests to loved ones, who as a result, receive more after tax.

Gifts of Life Insurance

Sometimes, people no longer need the life insurance they purchased to protect a growing family. Perhaps, over the years, they accumulated the assets necessary to meet the financial demands of raising and educating children and funding a secure retirement. In these instances, their cash value life insurance policies may make a sensible charitable gift to the Center. Continued premiums are tax deductible.

Corporate Partners in Excellence

Corporate philanthropy is a familiar concept to many companies who give generously of their resources through partnership agreements, sponsorship of individual programs or events, “In-kind Support” of goods or services and/or employee volunteers to help make this a better community for all of us.  As a result, numerous non-profit organizations are more effectively meeting their objectives. Donors such as Businesses, in turn, benefit from the enhanced credibility and respect that result from a corporate philosophy built on goodwill.  Customers and employees gravitate toward companies with kind hearts and responsible missions.

At the Golda Meir/Kent Jewish Center (GMKJC), a non-denominational 501 (c) (3), we understand how to help companies meet their philanthropic goals without losing sight of the business realities.  The Corporate Partners in Excellence program is a great way to provide your business or company with high visibility to the members we serve plus thousands of others the use our facility and attend special events.  Corporate Partners in Excellence helps ensure the continuity and strength of our Center by helping us sustain  summer camp, senior activities, scholarships, cultural events, sports & fitness or any program or service the Center provides. Sponsorships are sought for special events such our Jewish Film Festival,  Israel Independence Day, Annual Humanitarian Gala Dinner and our many holiday celebrations.

Corporate sponsors will receive recognition recognizing their support in our facility as well as acknowledgement in our program guide, newsletter, community newspaper, and our annual Humanitarian Gala Dinner tribute journal. Show support and make a difference in the lives of thousands of people who enjoy the services offered by the Center while promoting your business.

Dedication Bricks

Honor or memorialize a loved one or mark a special occasion with one or more of these attractive walkway bricks. Each engraved brick can accommodate three lines with sixteen characters per line including punctuations and spaces. Consider providing a lasting tribute with one or more personalized brick for a family member of friend when celebrating a joyous event such as a birthday, anniversary of Bar/Bat Mitzvah. This is an opportunity that will stand the tests of time.

Car Donations

Turn Your Mazda into a Mitzvah ("good deed")!
Support the Golda Meir/Kent Jewish Center’s programs by donating your used car or truck. Your donation is tax deductible. There is no charge to you for towing your vehicle, if needed.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of your vehicle is used by the Center to support our programming, ranging from youth and senior services to Jewish education, arts events, and much, much more.

Friend of the Center Philanthropic Membership

Our Friend of the Center Philanthropic Membership categories help make it possible for us to provide scholarship assistance to those who cannot afford to pay full fees. All donations are over the Membership rate and are tax deductible.

Friend of the Center               $1,000

If you would like to make a donation or require additional information please call us.