The Schwartz Family: A Legacy of Giving
For many years now, Lynn and Jay Schwartz have helped support local nonprofits through personal philanthropy. Their children, now grown and married with kids of their own, also donate to a variety of organizations.
But Lynn and Jay wanted to do more.
“We wanted our whole family to be involved in selecting and making decisions,” Jay said.
So three years ago, the couple established a donor advised fund through the Community Foundation. They named it the Lynn and Jay Schwartz Family Fund to emphasize philanthropic involvement beyond themselves, extending to their children and grandchildren.
Three generations of the Schwartz family
This fund is set apart from the family’s ongoing, individual philanthropy, and instead focuses specifically on supporting nonprofits in the Richmond region that address the greatest, most fundamental needs like food, shelter, and education.
It also makes it possible for the Schwartz family to establish an enduring legacy of giving that can inspire subsequent generations. According to Jay, he wanted to provide his family with the same kind of influences he had.
“I was able to see the generation before us being charitable,” he said. “They didn’t have the resources that we have, but they were giving nevertheless. And that's the example we wanted to provide for our children and our grandchildren.”
Working with Sarah Arenstein Levy, the Community Foundation’s Senior Philanthropy Advisor, they were able to launch their fund, develop their own guidelines, and establish the process for how the family would come together to make decisions about which organizations to support.
Lynn and Jay had a very specific vision in mind.
“It wasn't just about giving money,” Lynn shared. “We also asked each adult member of the family to find potential places to support on their own. We asked them to do research and then visit the nonprofit in person; to talk to people and learn. That’s how it becomes hands-on.”
Lynn and Jay have also made sure to include their grandchildren in the process. Each grandchild receives a certificate for a set amount, and they are encouraged to choose their own nonprofit that they would like to support.
“It gets them in that philanthropy mode,” Lynn said. “Until you really do it yourself and see what it involves, you can’t appreciate it.”
The couple's daughter Jennifer Schwartz Gerton echoed the importance of involving the youngest family members.
“Showing our children that even the smallest act of generosity can create a world of change has been so special,” She said. “One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the joy of giving to others. It's a gift our parents gave to us and we hope to give to our children.”
The family now meets twice a year to discuss the next round of donations and share what they have discovered and what work has inspired them. For their daughter Erika Kain, these meetings have become important touchpoints for the entire family.
“I love that we have these moments in the year where we get to come together to talk about giving,” Erika said. “It has made me feel even closer to the community and community needs. Learning more about the amazing work taking place makes our support feel more tangible.”
Their son, Mark Schwartz, echoed Erika’s focus on community, and emphasized the family’s connection to Richmond.
“Richmond has been home to our family for four generations,” he shared. “So this fund has provided an opportunity to give back to a community that has given so much to us. And the dialogue it has created with our kids will ensure future generations understand the importance of philanthropy and community.”
With such consistent alignment on mission, vision, and focus, it may come as a surprise that Lynn and Jay have slightly different approaches - not for why they donate, but how.
For Jay, making donations from the family fund anonymously allows for the different members to focus primarily on the impact of their giving. For Lynn, on the other hand, attaching the fund’s name might inspire others in the community to do the same.
A donor advised fund through the Community Foundation has made this kind of flexibility possible for the Schwartz family. It also allows for them to focus their giving on nonprofits that aren’t already well-funded through other sources. It has even helped identify grant recipients that the family may not have learned about on their own.
Ultimately, the Lynn and Jay Schwartz Family Fund exists based on a simple philosophy and a shared belief in the power of philanthropy.
“We're blessed, and we believe that comes with a responsibility,” Jay said. “We have had a disproportionate share of good luck, and there are a lot of people who have a disproportionate share of bad luck. We believe we have a responsibility to them. Because when you help one person, and then they touch other people, over time, it makes a difference.”