The Gansler Family: A Legacy by Design
For Ira and Jill Gansler, giving has always been central to their commitment to community, leadership and responsibility. Grounded in shared values, Ira and Jill embraced service long before they could give financially. Their dedication of time not only strengthened their community but also dramatically impacted their lives. They met in 1981 through this shared commitment, working together as volunteers to found Gan Yeladim, one of the first education-based Jewish daycare programs for children of working parents.
Longtime leaders for decades in Baltimore’s Jewish community, Jill, through her volunteer work with Associated Jewish Charities, and Ira, through his service on The Associated’s investment committees, have remained deeply connected to the place they call home, even as they now split their time between Baltimore and Florida. Ira observed, “This amazing Jewish community where we have raised our family gave us the ability to build the financial resources to invest and engage in and with Jewish Baltimore to make a difference.”
In recent years, their philanthropy has taken on an added dimension: a thoughtful and intentional focus on the future.
Planning with Purpose
As the Ganslers began to think more holistically about their financial and philanthropic plans, they saw an opportunity to do more than simply give. They could design a legacy.
Through their donor advised fund, they made a significant decision: to establish an endowment that will permanently sustain their level of giving to The Associated’s Annual Campaign. Each year, approximately $2.7 million from endowments supports the Annual Campaign, creating a strong and reliable foundation that helps sustain the community today and into the future. The Ganslers’ endowment is now part of this enduring foundation, joining others that collectively sustain the community each year.
As Jill reflected, “We wanted to make sure that we could secure the future, and our plan does that without sacrificing the support that it is our privilege and obligation to continue today.” By creating this endowment now, while continuing to make annual gifts during their lifetime, they have ensured that their support will continue and grow over time. In many ways, it serves as a kind of philanthropic safeguard, preserving their commitment to the community for future generations.
At the same time, the Ganslers have continued to respond to the needs of the moment. Making strategic gifts from their IRA, they have provided meaningful support to critical priorities, including efforts to combat antisemitism and strengthen connections to Israel—making a significant impact at a time when it is needed most.
Together, these approaches reflect a powerful truth: with thoughtful planning, it is possible to care for today while building for tomorrow.
Looking to the Next Generation
For the Ganslers, however, legacy is about more than financial structure. It is about family.
As they continue to shape their plans, they are thinking carefully about how to engage the next generation, sharing not only their philanthropic resources but also the values that have guided their giving.
Through ongoing conversations and intentional planning, they are creating a pathway for their children and grandchildren to carry this commitment forward, ensuring that their philanthropy remains both personal and purposeful in the years ahead. “We do this with confidence that they will be guided by our example and the common Jewish values that we hold dear,” stated Ira.
A Lasting Impact
Today, the Ganslers’ approach to giving reflects both foresight and heart.
By combining multiple strategies, growing their donor advised fund, establishing an endowment and making impactful gifts in real time, they have created a model of philanthropy that is both flexible and enduring.
Their story is a reminder that legacy is not simply what we leave behind. It is what we build, step by step, with intention and care. And when done thoughtfully, it becomes an expression of l’dor v’dor, strengthening families, supporting community and sustaining Jewish life for generations to come.
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