Jeremy Perlman wants to make a difference in his community, but knows he cannot do it alone.

He believes many Millennials and Gen-Xers also want to get involved with nonprofits, but struggle to figure out how to make those connections.

With help from the Princeton Area Community Foundation, he thinks he has found the answer: Jeremy recently created the NextGen Giving Circle at the Community Foundation.

“Through this Giving Circle, young professionals can get introduced to philanthropy and learn about nonprofits in the area,” said Jeremy, 28, an Account Executive at Borden Perlman Insurance in Ewing. “And we can start developing the next generation of givers in our community.”

Jeremy learned about volunteering and nonprofits from family members at an early age. His dad, Jeffrey, is a former Community Foundation Trustee, and Jeremy sits on the boards of Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County, Trenton Circus Squad, and Penn Hillel.

“This community has helped my family’s business thrive for over 100 years, so I think it’s only natural that we give back to the community,” he said.

He wants to pass that gift of giving along to his peers.

Giving Circles are common among Community Foundations. Through these groups, donors contribute to a single fund, and then, together, they select which nonprofits will receive grants from that fund.

Anyone can join the NextGen Giving Circle, but most members will be in the 20- to 40-year-old age range.

Here’s How It Works

Together, its members will learn about causes in this region that could benefit from their donations. They will have the chance to visit local nonprofits, and then as a group, they will decide which projects to fund.

Donors can make an annual gift or contribute monthly. Jeremy believes the subscription model for philanthropy is a natural fit for his generation, because young people are accustomed to subscribing to services, such as Netflix and Spotify.

In this case, for $100 a month, members of the Giving Circle can have an impact on their communities.

“I think people aren’t sure how to get involved in philanthropy,” he said. “Through the Giving Circle, you can give a modest amount, but still be part of big gifts.”

Founding members of the NextGen Giving Circle include Danielle Beccarelli (J.P. Morgan), John Blake (Klatzkin & Company), Chris Borden (Borden Perlman), Chris Cortina (U.S. Trust), Steve Daroci (Fox Rothschild), Rob Formisano (Morgan Stanley), Dylan Hallahan (MassMutual), Izzy Kasdin, Yu Oen (Optimal Portfolio), Max Orland (Orland’s Memorial Chapel), Max Popkin (Modern Recycled Spaces), Cory Rand (Stark & Stark), Brett Shaver (Princeton Global Asset Management), Brian Smith (Intelligent Office Princeton), Jason Sokel (Szaferman Lakind), Scott Sussman (Peacock Inn), Patrick Thurber (Fox Rothschild), and Mike Vara (Chase).

To learn more or become a member, contact the Community Foundation at 609.219.1800: Patricia Matos, Director of Philanthropic Services, ext. 815.