Taking Their Own Advice: Sue & Paul Hoffman

“We both grew up with an understanding that giving tzedakah is an essential part of being a Jew and of strengthening the fabric of our broader society,” Sue says. “It was only natural that we would prioritize it as part of our relationship.”

When they met as undergraduates at UC Berkeley Hillel nearly 50 years ago, Sue and Paul Hoffman discovered a shared passion for giving back to their community. Five decades later, their personal and philanthropic partnership is still thriving.

“We both grew up with an understanding that giving tzedakah is an essential part of being a Jew and of strengthening the fabric of our broader society,” Sue says. “It was only natural that we would prioritize it as part of our relationship.”

For Paul, who serves on The Foundation’s Professional Advisor Speaker Series’ planning committee, his commitment to philanthropy is professional as well as personal. As a partner at a leading trusts, estates, and tax law firm, he advises high-net-worth individuals and families on ways to distribute their charitable assets. He takes pleasure in helping others do good and is consistent in his recommendation for how to do it.

“When I have clients looking to establish a private foundation or Donor Advised Fund (DAF), I often refer them to The Foundation, for multiple reasons,” he says. “First it’s incredibly easy to set up and doesn’t come with all the expenses of establishing your own foundation. Second, if you’ve had a good year financially, a DAF allows you to take an income tax deduction that year at the highest tax bracket and accelerate the deduction, and the income it earns is tax-free.”

Paul takes his own advice in his private life: He and Sue have their own DAF through The Foundation. “We support around 30 organizations, and The Foundation does the heavy lifting for us, making it as seamless as possible,” Sue says. “They’re responsive and able to provide expert guidance, which means we can rest easy knowing that, as we work toward improving outcomes in our community, we’re maximizing every dollar we spend.”