The Junior League of Los Angeles (JLLA) established the JLLA Endowment in May 2022, prompted by a generous legacy gift from former JLLA President M’Leigh (Melinda Leigh) Koziol.

The Endowment is a permanent fund designed to serve as the primary repository for major gifts and legacy gifts to JLLA from JLLA members and the broader community. All gifts to the JLLA Endowment are invested, managed, and distributed in accordance with the Endowment Investment Policy and Endowment Spending Policy. Endowment funds are separately accounted for in JLLA’s books and records, and are not available for JLLA’s annual operations expenses.

Gifts to JLLA Endowment

Gifts to the JLLA Endowment may be made in any amount, in life or at death. Lifetime gifts can be funded all at once, or in installments, while testamentary “legacy gifts” are designated in the donor’s will or trust and are typically funded after the donor’s death, but can also be funded in full or in part during the donor’s lifetime.

Donors that notify JLLA of a planned gift to JLLA in their will or trust at death automatically become members of the M’Leigh Koziol Heritage Society, and benefit from special recognition by JLLA and invitations to participate in exclusive events. A specific dollar amount is not required to complete an Endowment Notice of Legacy Gift and join the M’Leigh Koziol Heritage Society.

Naming the JLLA Endowment as a beneficiary to a 401(k)/IRA, bank account, or life insurance policy is another way to make a legacy gift.

Employer “matching gifts” can magnify the impact of lifetime gifts.

Federal government employees and retirees also have the option making gifts to JLLA’s Endowment through the United Way Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) workplace giving program. JLLA’s United Way organization number is 21190.

To discuss a charitable gift to the JLLA Endowment, contact the Endowment Committee via email at endowment@JLLA.org.

Join the M’Leigh Koziol Heritage Society

Donors that notify JLLA of a planned gift to JLLA in their will or trust at death automatically become members of the M’Leigh Koziol Heritage Society, and benefit from special recognition by JLLA and invitations to participate in exclusive events.

A specific dollar amount is not required to complete an Endowment Notice of Legacy Gift and join the M’Leigh Koziol Heritage Society.

Click here to complete a Legacy Gift Pledge fillable form.

Need a will? See California Probate Code Section 6240 for free fill in the blank California Statutory Will.

Endowment Governance

The JLLA Endowment is overseen by JLLA’s Endowment Committee (under the supervision of JLLA’s Board of Directors) in accordance with specific endowment policies adopted by JLLA’s Board of Directors. The Endowment Committee consists of five (5) JLLA active and sustaining committee members and two Co-Chairs serving staggered three-year terms, with JLLA’s President and Treasurer serving “ex oficio” as non-voting members.

Attorneys, accountants, planned giving and development officers, licensed banking and investment management professionals are most coveted and highly encouraged to seek placement on the Endowment Committee!

Contact the Endowment Committee via email at endowment@JLLA.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a “Legacy Gift”?
JLLA uses the term “Legacy Gift” to refer to charitable gifts to JLLA designated in the donor’s will or
trust after the donor’s death. Legacy Gifts are often stated as a specific dollar amount or a percentage of
the donor’s estate remaining after all taxes, expenses, specific gifts, and distributions. A specific dollar
amount is not required to complete an Endowment Notice of Legacy Gift and join the M’Leigh Koziol
Heritage Society.

Donors retain the right to change their will or trust at any time for any reason or no reason after notifying
JLLA of their Legacy Gift, and have the option to fund their Legacy Gift in full or in part during their
lifetime by indicating in writing at the time of delivery that a gift is all or part of the donor’s Legacy Gift.
If a specific dollar amount is stated in the donor’s Notice of Legacy Gift, JLLA will recognize that
amount as an “irrevocable deferred charitable contribution receivable” on its records, which are subject to
external audit.

What if I’ve already included a Legacy Gift to JLLA in my will or trust?
Anyone who has already included a gift to JLLA in their will or trust is automatically a member of the
M’Leigh Koziol Heritage Society! If you haven’t already, please notify JLLA of your legacy gift by
completing a Notice of Legacy Gift or emailing endowment@JLLA.org.

Where do gifts go once donated to JLLA’s Endowment?
All gifts to JLLA’s Endowment are held in the Endowment’s general fund unless the requirements for a
“separate fund endowment” are satisfied (including an Endowment Gift Agreement signed by both the
donor and the Junior League).

The JLLA Endowment general fund is invested according to the Endowment Investment Policy.
Distributions from the Endowment’s general fund are calculated and used pursuant to the Endowment
Spending Policy.

What if I want to make a large gift and restrict/condition use of gifts I fund?
A “separate fund endowment” with specific conditions and restrictions can be established by entering into
an Endowment Gift Agreement signed by the donor and JLLA, and funding a gift of at least $1,000,000.

What is JLLA Endowment’s Investment Policy?
JLLA Endowment funds are managed in accordance with an Endowment Investment Policy consistent
with JLLA’s Investment Policy Statement, with the investment goal of maintaining and growing the
Endowment’s purchasing power.

What is JLLA Endowment’s Spending Policy?

JLLA’s Board has the authority to approve Spendable Distributions from the Endowment to JLLA when
the principal balance of the Endowment’s general fund is or exceeds $5,000,000.

What are California’s laws governing the administration and investment of endowment funds?
Charitable donations and donor restricted funds gifted to the JLLA Endowment are considered
“institutional funds” that must be “invested prudently” in good faith (i.e., under the so-called “modern
portfolio theory”) under the “Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act” (UPMIFA),
which is codified in California Probate Code Sections 18501 to 18510. UPMIFA is deemed to apply to
all Endowment gifts unless expressly stated otherwise in writing by the donor when making the gift.

How does California oversee endowments?
Tax exempt entities in California are required to regularly file informational returns and reports with
California’s Attorney General, whose office has primary responsibility for supervising charities as the
representative of the public and beneficiaries under common law and California law. For more
information see: https://oag.ca.gov/charities.

What were M’Leigh Koziol’s wishes for her gift?
The relevant excerpt from Koziol’s will reads: “For Junior League – On the larger donation to the General
Fund. Please let them know that I would like them to use this money to help promote the League to the
City of Los Angeles. It doesn’t need to be used for a specific project nor do I want it added to the Projects
Reserve or Headquarters fund. I also don’t want them to get tied up in committees deciding on how to
spend it forever (they will know what this means). Here are some examples I’m thinking of as I write this
– Add some extra Done in a Days that are big enough to get local coverage from TV, have a community
event that brings many of the other nonprofits together on a critical need of the city. Have a special event
for our past co-sponsored projects andprograms – inviting their Executive Directors/Boards to highlight
how much we have done over the years in this city. Work with Mayor’s and Councilman’s Office to
provide a special 1 time project/ program for the city. Some of these things are things we used to do but
haven’t because of money restraints. And I think there is enough money so that they can do this kind of
thing for a number of years in a row to help the League get known again – especially with City
leadership. But I don’t want it to just sit in an account for years and not get used. On the smaller donation
to the President’s fund, they should continue to offer scholarships to members who can’t afford their
dues.”

Tell me more about M’Leigh Koziol.
M’Leigh (Melinda Leigh) Koziol was born in Los Angeles, California, on May 23, 1958, the beloved
daughter of Dorothy (Granter) of Iowa and Dr. Edward Stephen Koziol of Nebraska. After graduating
from Marlborough School in Los Angeles, M’Leigh attended Pitzer College, where she received a
bachelor’s degree in 1981, with a double major in business and economics, and a minor in music.

Professionally, M’Leigh was Vice President of Investments at Wedbush Securities, previously serving as
Vice President at Wachovia (formerly known as Prudential Securities).
Outside of work, M’Leigh had two lifelong passions – antiques and charity work – eventually owning
Remember When Antiques in Larchmont Village in addition her volunteer work as a longtime member of
JLLA.

M’Leigh was trained in voice, piano, and theatre, and loved musical theatre. She loved caring for her five
Shetland ‘Sheltie’ sheepdogs, most notably her dog Robbie. M’Leigh also maintained an affinity for her
rural Iowa roots dating back over 100 years to the family’s farm operation in Danbury, Iowa.

At JLLA, M’Leigh was an advocate for financial transparency and provided guidance related to JLLA
investments. She served in numerous Board positions, including President (2000-2001), and Chair of the
75th Anniversary Celebration of JLLA’s founding.

JLLA members remember M’Leigh as a dedicated leader focused on maintaining JLLA’s standing while
supporting the community and members.

M’Leigh Koziol died on March 18, 2019, at age 60.

Endowment History

The Junior League of Los Angeles (JLLA) established the JLLA Endowment in May 2022, prompted by a generous legacy gift from former JLLA President M’Leigh (Melinda Leigh) Koziol. Remembering M’Leigh Koziol

M’Leigh Koziol was an investment banker, antique store owner, community leader, and a longtime member of the Junior League of Los Angeles who served on JLLA’s Board of Directors for several years and as President from 2000-2001.

Upon her death at age 60 on March 18, 2019, M’Leigh Koziol bequeathed generous testamentary gifts to the Junior League of Los Angeles, a gift to JLLA’s President’s Fund to fund scholarships for JLLA members who can’t afford their dues, and $685,000 in unrestricted funds to JLLA’s General Fund, noting in her will that she “would like them to use this money to help promote the League to the City of Los Angeles”. Known for her direct style, Koziol also added the caveat: “I also don’t want them to get tied up in committees deciding on how to spend it forever (they will know what this means)”.

People who knew Koziol can envision her stern smile as she wrote this to encourage League members to act quickly. Koziol’s will goes on to describe examples of community-wide events celebrating the League and its history in the City to illustrate her intent for the funds, such as co-sponsored programs and special events to recognize community partners and League projects.

Determining Where to Start (2020-2021)

M’Leigh’s gift highlighted the need for a JLLA planned giving “vehicle” to receive large and legacy gifts, and to assure donors of JLLA’s ability to responsibly manage and grow planned gifts. To that end, JLLA’s 2020-2021 President, Buffany Hunter, assembled the “M’Leigh Koziol Gift Recommendations Working Group” to determine how best to administer and apply M’Leigh’s gift. In addition to Hunter, that Working Group was comprised of Melinda Kelly, close friend of M’Leigh Koziol’s and a longtime JLLA member with years of JLLA Board service; Nene Ogbechie, JLLA Board Secretary from 2020-2022; and seven past and future JLLA Presidents: Jan Kern (1990-1991); Nickey Sawyer (1992-1993); Beth Quillen Thomas (1996-1997); Ness Okonkwo (2016-2017); Sarah Christian (2021-2022); Joy Williams (2022-2023); and Cristina Rivard (2024-2025).

After much deliberation, research, and discussion, the 2020-2021 Working Group recommended to the Board funding immediate donations to certain JLLA community partners, and establishing what’s known by the IRS as a “Type I Supporting Organization”, as a separate entity subsidiary of JLLA, with its own Bylaws, investment policy, and spending policy dedicated to planned giving for JLLA.

Following that recommendation, in May 2021 JLLA’s Board voted for: (1) creation of a Type I Supporting Organization, leaving all details related to its structure and Bylaws to be determined by the 2021-2022 Board of Directors, and (2) allocation of $25,000 of the M’Leigh Koziol gift to JLLA’s current community partners, and another $5,000 to MLK Foundation Hospital.

Charting a Course of Action (2021-22)

The following League year, JLLA’s 2021-2022 President Sarah Christian convened the “M’Leigh Koziol Gift/Foundation Working Group”. In addition to Christian, two members from the first Working Group joined the new working group: Nene Ogbechie and Joy Williams; along with former JLLA Presidents Wendi Chandler (2003-2004) and Lisa Miller (2004-2005), and current and former JLLA Board members and leaders Marian Banning, Joanne Coghill, Dawn Eash, Lauren Ekerling, Shelli Herman, Irán Hopkins, and Tamika Medley.

The 2021-2022 Working Group began its task by diving deep into what other Leagues were doing and taking advice from experts on various nonprofit planned giving “vehicles”, including Type 1 Supporting Organizations, foundations, trusts, and endowments, taking into account the regulatory compliance and reporting, tax implications, and the cost and complexity of administration by a volunteer workforce with a limited budget.

Ultimately, the 2021-2022 Working Group recommended creation of an endowment given JLLA’s existing tax exempt status, and created policies for Board approval to establish the JLLA Endowment and Endowment Committee, to work with counsel to design documentation and procedures for the acceptance of gifts and pledges, and policies governing the investment and spending of endowment funds.

The 2021-2022 Board approved and adopted the Working Group’s recommendation to establish the JLLA Endowment in November 2021. The following month, the Board approved allocation of $400,000 from M’Leigh Koziol’s gift (58% of her total gift) to seed the JLLA Endowment. The 2021-2022 Board also earmarked the remaining $285,000 (47% of M’Leigh’s total gift) to fund projects and programs according to Koziol’s wishes, to be used no later than the end of 2025-2026.

The Working Group interviewed several attorneys and law firms for pro bono legal counsel, and recommended to JLLA’s Board moving forward with Akerman LLP, where Working Group member Irán Hopkins worked as an attorney and could personally facilitate communications between JLLA and pro bono counsel, and coordinate with the Working Group regarding preparation of the Endowment’s governing documents.

In May 2022, the Board approved and adopted JLLA’s Endowment Policy and Endowment Committee Policy, which established the JLLA Endowment as a permanent fund designed to provide support to JLLA and its activities in perpetuity, and established JLLA’s Endowment Committee to oversee and administer JLLA’s Endowment under supervision of JLLA’s Board, with all Endowment decisions ultimately subject to JLLA Board approval.

Creation of the JLLA Endowment (2022-2023)

JLLA’s initial Endowment Committee Policy provides for five (5) committee members and two Co- Chairs serving staggered three year terms to ensure leadership continuity in administration of the Endowment and with JLLA’s Board of Directors, which changes each year. Each year JLLA’s current President and Treasurer also serve on the Endowment Committee “ex oficio”, as non-voting members. The Endowment Committee is responsible for management, planning, stewardship, and coordination of all Endowment matters in accordance with JLLA’s Endowment policies and procedures adopted by the Board, and for advising JLLA’s Board on recommended actions and decisions regarding the Endowment. The Endowment Committee’s specific oversight duties and responsibilities include: (1) ensuring prudent management and preservation of the long-term purchasing power of the Endowment and its individual endowment funds pursuant to Board approved investment policies; and (2) design and implementation of donor cultivation and recognition programs, fundraising campaigns, and gift-related activities.

JLLA’s 2022-2023 inaugural Endowment Committee members consisted of Lynn Lipinski, Lisa Miller, Darlene Mowrey, Ness Okonkwo, and Ellen Weitman, along with Co-Chairs Irán Hopkins and Sarah Christian, many of which were involved in earlier Working Groups related to M’Leigh’s gift.

Building the JLLA Endowment (2023-24 and Beyond)

The creation of JLLA’s Endowment, and M’Leigh Koziol’s initial seed gift of $400,000 were formally announced to JLLA’s membership at JLLA’s September 2023 General Meeting. The Endowment Committee also announced formation of the M’Leigh Koziol Heritage Society, which acknowledges individuals that have self-identified as leaving a charitable gift or naming the Junior League of Los Angeles as a beneficiary in their will or trust by sending a signed form Notice of Legacy Gift (Gift to JLLA Endowment in Will or Trust).

Upon recommendation of the Endowment Committee, JLLA’s Board of Directors subsequently approved reallocation of the Endowment’s initial seed money gift of $400,000 as the lead gift in the name of M’Leigh Koziol to JLLA’s Centennial Legacy Campaign.

JLLA’s inaugural member event for the M’Leigh Koziol Heritage Society was scheduled for May 2025. In addition to ongoing Endowment fundraising campaigns and endeavors, funding JLLA’s Endowment is a key objective of JLLA’s Centennial Legacy Campaign.

Contact JLLA Endowment

Endowment@JLLA.org

JLLA Endowment
630 North Larchmont Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004-1308
Phone: (323) 957-4280
Fax: (323) 957-2072