WOMEN’S ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL

Clients often express their charitable intent, but do not know where to begin. As planners and advisors, we offer creative solutions for our clients to give on their own. On a much larger scale, foundations provide donors with additional support for individuals to leave a charitable legacy. This presentation focuses on how foundations operate as it relates to individual charitable giving, and how a foundation can help a client give back to the causes near and dear.

Presented by:

Judy Altenberg joined the Rose Community Foundation staff in June 2019. As chief philanthropy officer, Altenberg leads the team responsible for growing philanthropic resources for regional good in partnership with donors, donor-advised fundholders, nonprofit fundholders, giving circle members, and professional advisors. She has been involved with the Foundation since 2007 as a Foundation trustee and a member of the Education Committee and chair of the Jewish Life Committee.

Altenberg is a past chair and now lifetime board member of National Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), where she was a trustee and chaired the Nominating Committee. She chaired the national Lion of Judah Endowment 25th Anniversary campaign, resulting in new endowed gifts into communities throughout North America. She is also an alumna of the United Jewish Communities’ National Young Leadership Cabinet where she held several positions. She is a 2010 graduate of the Wexner Heritage Program, an intensive two-year program of Jewish leadership and learning.

Altenberg has been involved in many educational committees on both the state and local levels, and at her children’s K-12 schools. She is a past Chair of the Board of the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation.

Altenberg is trained as a lawyer but spent much of her career volunteering in the community. She is married to Bruce Plotkin and they have two adult children, Jeremy and Gabrielle.

Sarah James joined Rose Community Foundation in November 2024 as the Director of Donor Funds and Gift Planning. With over 10 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, Sarah has worked with a diverse range of organizations across arts, social services, and education, honing her skills in building meaningful connections with donors and aligning their philanthropic goals with the needs of their communities. As the Director of Donor Funds and Gift Planning, she leads the donor advised fund team to steward existing fundholders and legacy donors, working closely with individuals and families to guide them in making thoughtful, values-driven philanthropic decisions.

Most recently, Sarah served as the Associate Director of Annual Giving Signature Campaigns at the University of Denver, where she developed and led comprehensive campaigns that engaged donors in supporting the university’s mission. Prior to her work in higher education, she led the fundraising efforts at Art Students League of Denver, where she oversaw all development initiatives, and played a key role at Warren Village, managing and growing their individual giving and events program.

Sarah holds a BA in Communication Studies from Arizona State University and an MA in Communication Studies from Colorado State University. She is also a graduate from the Institute for Leaders in Development at the University of Denver. Outside of work, Sarah is an active volunteer and thrives in collaborative environments where she can be a resource for others and a strong advocate for causes she believes in. When she’s not working, Sarah enjoys traveling, hosting parties, attending live music, watching movies, and spending quality time with friends, family and her wife, Savanna.