JSSA Receives Invest in Others Grant

With more than 700 in attendance at the Omni Seaport Hotel in Boston, Mass., Candace “Candi” Kaplan was recognized for her ongoing and unwavering support of JSSA.

Candi, a former Board President for JSSA, received the Invest in Others Community Service Award. With the award, Candi earned a $60,000 grant for JSSA.

“It was a very special night for JSSA,” Candi said. “They were rightly recognized for all the amazing work that they do and have done for more than 130 years.”

Invest in Others selected Candi and other finalists based on their leadership, dedication, contribution, inspiration and impact on both their designated charities and the communities they serve.

“I was very gratified to have been able to highlight JSSA and make them part of the Invest in Others world, which is the major fundraising arm of the investment industry,” Candi said.

Candi’s Ongoing Work for JSSA

Candi is founder and senior partner of Kaplan Financial Group in Rockville, Maryland. Candi first started volunteering for JSSA in 2009 as a member of the Development Committee for the Board of Directions. She joined the Board in 2012 and ultimately served as Board President for six years.

During her tenure, Candi led the four-year process of restructuring the Board of Directors Governance and Recruitment practice. This ultimately led to significant expansion for JSSA. Good governance ensures transparency, accountability, and effective management – attracting key funding for the agency. When Candi joined JSSA’s Board in 2012, JSSA had an operating budget of $16 million. By the end of her presidency in 2021, JSSA’s operating budget had grown to $37 million.

Under Candi’s leadership, JSSA expanded services to help more people in more neighborhoods in the National Capital Region. JSSA also kept pace as demands for services rose. For example, JSSA kept its doors open with no interruption in services during the pandemic and retained every staff member, at a critical time for individuals and families needing mental health and hospice services.

Candi and her family have also personally benefitted from JSSA’s programs and services, including hospice.

Invest in Others works with individuals in the financial investment industry to help fill funding gaps for nonprofits.