August Family Fund

Steve and Judy August have long believed in the power of education and opportunity to transform lives. Steve was raised with a guiding sense of tzedakah, the Jewish concept of living charitably. “It’s the idea that you need to commit an act of charity on a regular basis,” he explained. Together, they have woven these values into both their personal and philanthropic journeys, making a lasting mark on the Greater New Haven community.

Steve, a longtime financial advisor, has dedicated much of his career not only to helping clients secure their financial futures but also to promoting financial literacy in the broader community. In particular, he has focused his volunteer efforts on teaching personal finance to individuals who were formerly incarcerated, believing that financial knowledge is a key step toward stability and independence. As a member of The Foundation’s Ambassadors Committee, Steve has helped raise awareness about the many ways philanthropy can build stronger communities.

Judy, a retired school psychologist, has been equally committed to literacy and lifelong learning. She served as a community reviewer for The Foundation’s responsive grant process, offering her insight and perspective to ensure resources reached organizations making meaningful impact. Reflecting on her involvement, Judy shared, “What I really like about The Foundation is they vet organizations, so I am very confident in giving money to them.”

Steve and Judy’s shared values of education, opportunity and community are reflected in their philanthropy. Since becoming eligible to take required minimum distributions from their retirement accounts, Steve and Judy have chosen to make qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) to support the Community Fund for Women & Girls and The Community Now Fund at The Foundation. For them, it is a deeply meaningful way to align their giving with their values while also enjoying the tax benefits that QCDs provide.

For 15 years, they have also leveraged their Fund to contribute to local organizations. Judy said she leans on The Community Foundation to discover some of those local efforts and outfits to support, describing how advisory meetings and public briefings offer opportunities to “find out about things we might not know about just from reading the paper.”

The August’s estate planning through The Community Foundation’s Nettie Dayton Circle ensures that their legacy of giving back will continue in perpetuity.

“Because I trust The Community Foundation, I want them to make the decisions,” said Judy. “I love that when something happens – like during the pandemic – they come forward and let you know what the needs are based on right now, today, what's happening. That’s what I want it to be used for: whatever the emergency needs are in the future.”

Steve said he also hopes that in the future, the August Fund will help address wealth inequality in the region. It all comes back to tzedakah, he said. There is a moral obligation to support organizations in your backyard meeting basic needs.

As he advised his clients, Steve clarified that philanthropy doesn’t have to mean “shooting for the moon.” For every major event philanthropic organizations respond to, like the pandemic or a hurricane, “there are hundreds of people who need $5 a week from 10 people.”

Steve and Judy’s story is a reminder that philanthropy is most powerful when it reflects who we are and what we believe in. As members of the Nettie Dayton Circle, their values will be honored forever.