How EOFs Work
A clear process — from vision to student support.
Education Opportunity Funds separate intent, recommendation, review, and disbursement into distinct roles — so giving works at scale without breaking under scrutiny.
1 · The Fund
What is an Education Opportunity Fund?
An Education Opportunity Fund (EOF) is a donor-advised scholarship program established to support students who meet defined educational and eligibility criteria.
Each EOF is purpose-driven. It exists to advance a specific educational goal — not to fund isolated requests. The Yeshiva Giving Fund establishes and owns the fund. Program managers provide advisory input through scholarship recommendations.
2 · Who Is Involved
Three roles, clearly separated.
The separation between advisory input, financial discretion, and administration is what makes EOFs defensible. Each party has a defined lane.
Yeshiva Giving Fund
- Establishes and owns all EOFs
- Holds and oversees donated funds
- Reviews and approves scholarship recommendations
- Sets and enforces program criteria
Program Managers
- Define the educational purpose and eligibility criteria
- May contribute funds to support their EOF
- Recommend scholarships to qualifying recipients
- Do not control or disburse funds
BrightLeaf Giving
- Manages accounts and fund administration
- Handles donation processing and recordkeeping
- Executes approved scholarship disbursals
3 · Creating an EOF
From application to approval.
Submit application
A prospective program manager submits the EOF application — purpose, criteria, fund identity.
Review & refine
YGF reviews the proposed purpose and structure, working with the manager to refine where useful.
Approval & setup
Upon approval, the EOF is formally established and administrative accounts are configured.
Ready to support
Once established, the EOF is open to receive funding and begin scholarship activity.
4 · Funding
Funding an EOF
EOFs are not open to public donations. Contributions are made by the program manager or authorized contributors supporting the fund’s mission. All donations are made to and owned by YGF — held and tracked as part of the EOF’s balance.
5 · Recommendation
Recommending scholarships
Program managers identify recipients who meet the approved eligibility criteria, then submit recommendations for review.
Important: Recommendations are advisory. All scholarships require approval by YGF before funds are released. This ensures fairness, consistency, and alignment with the EOF’s mission.
6 · Approval & Disbursement
Independent review. Final discretion.
Scholarship recommendations are reviewed by YGF, approved scholarships are authorized for payment, and BrightLeaf Giving processes the disbursal to the recipient or educational institution. Program managers are kept informed throughout.
7 · Oversight
Oversight and continuity.
EOFs are designed for responsible stewardship of funds, ongoing scholarship activity, and clear separation between advisory input and financial execution. This structure protects both donors and recipients while allowing meaningful participation in educational giving.
Education thrives when giving is intentional, criteria are clear, and authority is defined.
Ready to build something durable?
Create a donor-advised scholarship program aligned with your educational values.