-
07 August 2025
How Natalia Straus is helping Greater Washington’s Jewish community plan for the future—with heart, humor, and purpose.
Natalia Straus has always been a planner.
“As a kid, I’d write a to-do list that started with ‘write a to-do list,’” she laughs. “My family still teases me that I can’t get through breakfast without saying, ‘Let’s make a list.’”
That love of structure—and her deep sense of purpose—make Natalia the perfect person to lead legacy giving at The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
A Natural Fit for the Future
Now serving as Federation’s Senior Director of Legacy Giving, Natalia is revitalizing a community-driven legacy program in partnership with the Jewish Community Foundation.
Her goal? To make it easier—and more meaningful—for community members to plan for the future and leave a lasting impact on Jewish life in Greater Washington.
“Legacy giving is about intention,” she says. “It’s asking: What values do I want to carry forward? What kind of world do I want to help build—even after I’m gone?”
And there’s no better time to start. August is National Make-A-Will Month—a timely reminder that creating or updating your will is one of the simplest, most powerful ways to secure your future impact.
Legacy gifts—like naming Federation in your will, trust, or retirement plan—are simple to set up and have a lasting effect. These gifts sustain the programs, services, and values that shape Jewish life: from youth education and senior care to Jewish identity, emergency response, and beyond.
Two Decades of Legacy Leadership
Natalia got her start in legacy giving at the Osher Marin JCC through Federation’s “Leave a Jewish Legacy” initiative. Since then, she’s helped organizations from Spirit Rock Meditation Center to California State Parks Foundation build and strengthen their legacy programs.
She recalls one moment that solidified her passion: a longtime donor reached out to confirm their gift shortly before passing. “They told me it brought them peace,” she remembers. “That conversation reminded me—this work isn’t about paperwork. It’s about people, their stories, and their hopes.”
A Personal and Professional Passion
For Natalia, planning a legacy isn’t just a job—it’s how she moves through the world.
“Creating a plan is one of the most generous things you can do. For your family. For your community. For yourself. It’s an act of hope.”
That same outlook shaped her leadership in Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy program over the past three and a half years. “It’s been an incredible experience building this community,” she says. “I’m proud to leave it in the hands of amazing leaders like Becca Ginns, Jordan Kaufman, and our Women’s Philanthropy chairs and changemakers.”
Ready to Write Your Next Chapter?
Your legacy is already in the making. Let’s make sure it tells the story you want to be remembered by.
Reach out to Natalia at natalia.straus@shalomdc.org or 301.230.7279