In 1989, the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver established an endowment arm whose mandate was to build a fund of invested capital, the income to be used to support a grant program for new and creative initiatives in the community. The Endowment Fund of the JFGV, with its first Chair, Helen Coleman, kicked off with a modest sum of just over $200,000.

Shortly after inception two unexpected, and very large bequests were left to the endowment fund. These gifts, each valued around 1 million dollars, provided the fuel to launch an aggressive program for endowment development. In 1994, another boost occurred. The Endowment Fund, together with the Federation, honoured one of its founding father, Arthur Fouks. To recognize the outstanding leadership of Arthur and his wife Ancie, a tribute dinner was held, and this event triggered the creation of many new family endowments. By 1995, the Endowment Fund had over 5 million dollars invested.

The Endowment continued to grow steadily, but in 1998, wishing to reflect the strong partnerships that were forming with community agencies and leading donor families, and the financial growth generated by that reality, the community officially changed the name of the Endowment Fund of the JFGV to the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Vancouver, thus projecting a broader mandate of operation. Today, the JCFGV is the central address for planned and endowed giving in the Jewish community of the Lower Mainland, and boasts assets of over 23.5 million.

Past Chairs:
Helen Coleman
Morley Koffman
Risa Levine
Ted Zacks
Bill Levine
Garry Zlotnik