Randi Jaffe '74

Randi Jaffe and her husband, David, are supporting Barnard's future with gifts that pay them income for life.

Randi Jaffe '74 has a vivid and longstanding relationship with the Barnard College and Columbia University communities. She is a New York native who attended public high school in Queens and knew when she attended college she wanted to stay in New York City. When Randi visited Barnard's campus as her senior year began, she saw an intellectually thriving community of women learning together, and knew immediately that it was the place for her.

Randi's commitment to Barnard, its students, and its future led her to volunteer as Reunion Chair, as Class President and then as a Class Agent fundraiser, Planned Giving Chair for her class, and Annual Giving Committee Chair—and to establish several gifts of her own.

Randi and her husband, David—a graduate of Columbia—give to Barnard because it is special to them. They have established several charitable gift annuities that will leave a lasting legacy of support for Barnard students and enable future generations of women, like their five-year-old granddaughter, to consider the same thriving intellectual experience that Randi had.

"After graduation, as I came back for events and I became more involved as an alumna, I met many Barnard women, including my own classmates, and learned that we Barnard women are alike in many more ways than we are different from each other, whatever our politics or professions. We are strong, passionate, and capable, and Barnard continues to nurture and support us," Randi says.

Randi and her husband chose to establish deferred charitable gift annuities at Barnard because this allowed them to receive fixed income and take advantage of tax benefits while making impactful contributions to the College. Randi and David will receive payments for their lifetimes, starting at future dates they have set. The gift annuities generated federal charitable tax deductions in the years they established them, and a portion of the couple's payments will be free of income tax. When they pass on, the remainder of their gift annuities will be used to support Barnard's mission.

"The most important reason my husband, David, and I give to Barnard is to support this unique, wonderful institution and help it thrive," Randi says.

To learn more about how you can establish a charitable gift annuity that will benefit both you and future generations of Barnard women, contact JiHae Munro at 212.853.8313 or jmunro@barnard.edu.