Rooted in Values, Driven by Purpose: Meet Elise Morris

For Elise Morris, philanthropy isn’t just about giving — it’s about honoring a legacy, embracing identity, and making a tangible difference in the lives of others. A proud Baltimorean, she has woven her Jewish values into every part of her personal and professional life.

Though she was born in Washington, D.C, her family’s move to Baltimore when she was a child shaped the foundation of her deep community roots. With a unique upbringing that included training as a competitive figure skater in New York and an education at the Park School, Harvard University, and the University of Maryland School of Law, Elise has always found her way back to Baltimore. She and her husband, Chip, made the affirmative decision to plant their roots in Jewish Baltimore, where they raised their three children.

“My Jewish identity has always been very important to me,” she says. “My mother and grandparents were Holocaust survivors, and their experiences instilled in me a sense of responsibility — not only to remember, but also to act.”

That sense of responsibility led her to The Associated. What began with writing letters and helping with phone calls soon evolved into leadership roles across the organization — from chairing the Professional Women’s Initiative to serving on the Finance Committee, the Executive Committee of the Jewish Women’s Giving Foundation, and the Countering Anti-Semitism Task Force. Today, bringing her professional expertise as a lawyer to her service, she chairs the Administration Committee and remains a proud and active member of the Jewish Women’s Giving Foundation (JWGF).

“JWGF is one of my favorite things about The Associated,” she shares. “It’s a thoughtful, collaborative group of remarkable women, grounded in Jewish values and committed to making a difference —especially for causes that affect women and girls. I’ve learned about many incredible non-profit organizations doing meaningful work that I never would have encountered otherwise.”

For Elise, being a Jewish woman philanthropist means creating positive change by investing in the community — locally, in Israel, and around the world. She feels that the most pressing needs include efforts to combat antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, supporting women and girls recovering from trauma or abuse, and empowering individuals through mentorship, education, and skill-building programs. Elise appreciates the opportunity to engage in thoughtful grant-making, by learning in-depth and through site visits about various non-profits’ urgent needs and by making impactful decisions alongside like-minded women.

“Philanthropy isn’t one-size-fits-all,” she notes. “It’s about responding to the needs of the moment. Whether it’s helping a woman gain the necessary skills for sustainable homeownership in downtown Baltimore or addressing urgent needs in Israel, I want our giving to reflect what matters most right now.”

To help guide those decisions, Elise recently opened a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) with The Associated. Though she and her family had long utilized a DAF through her husband’s former employer, Elise felt it was time to create one she could shape and steward directly. This decision was driven by trust in The Associated’s professional management, investment strategies, and commitment to Jewish communal needs.

“I wanted the flexibility to respond to needs throughout the year, not just during our end-of-year giving conversations,” she says. “The Associated makes it easy — the process is seamless, the reporting is clear, and we have complete trust in the professional staff. Plus, it’s a way to model our family values for our children and engage them in giving that feels personal and purposeful.” Having a DAF allows her to be flexible and responsive in giving, ensuring that her family’s philanthropic decisions align with immediate needs and shared values.

For Elise, philanthropy is more than a financial commitment — it reflects her identity, her family’s values and the world she hopes to help shape. She gives to support today’s needs and models for her children and future generations what it means to be part of something bigger than oneself.

“It’s not just about the gift. It’s about the intention behind it — what you say about who you are and what matters to you.” Through her involvement with The Associated, Elise is not only giving back — she’s honoring the generations that came before her and helping pave the way for those yet to come.