As we complete another incredibly successful year at Tidewater Jewish Foundation, I am heartened by the faith, trust, and confidence that is placed in us to safeguard personal heritage ideals.
This past year, we grew our assets under management by 17%; 2% better than the prior year, while maintaining strong levels of distribution. None of this would be possible without our clients’ and partners’ continued belief in our mission. For a deeper look at the impact individual generosity makes possible, check out our 2025 Annual Impact Report included as an insert in this issue of Jewish News.
I cannot say enough about our exceptional staff. Small though it is, this team manages significant community assets with tremendous fiduciary responsibility. Year after year, we receive outstanding audits and accolades for exceptional performance. Under the leadership of our CEO, Naomi Limor Sedek, the team continues to strengthen and expand its reach across our community. Naomi and Amy Weinstein work closely with all our member organizations to help them meet—and often exceed—their financial goals.
Ann Swindell oversees our grants process and committee calendars with professionalism and care. Each year, we distribute more than a quarter million dollars to community programs through this process, and Ann ensures these dollars land where they can do the most good. Behind the scenes, Randy Parrish and Craig Bailey manage the back-office operations that make our perfect audit record possible. And, of course, Kim King binds the entire team together as executive assistant. Every person listed here does far more than can be captured in one article, and our community is unquestionably stronger because of their work.
TJF has served our community remarkably well, but I believe we can—and must—do even more. Naomi has set us on a promising path with board succession planning and is now developing employee succession planning to prepare us for the years ahead. To broaden our donor base, we must reach into financial areas we have not yet accessed, and we will be adding to our team to help us do so.
I have long believed that the role of our community foundation is to protect our institutions by securing their futures through endowment. Our next major milestone should be to expand our assets and promises under management from $230 million to $500 million. It’s a lofty goal, but an attainable one. We have the capacity. Now let’s find the will together.
Ed Kramer is chair of Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s board of directors.