SUMMER 2021
BGCFyi A PROFILE IN GIVING
Giving Is All in the Family for the Salomons Art Salomon has worn a lot of hats at Blue Grass Community Foundation over the past 25 years: board member, board chair, finance and audit committee chair, fundholder, Legacy Society member, donor, advocate. “I was looking for that one cause I could believe in,” says Art, “and Blue Grass Community Foundation was it.” Art is founder and president of Salomon & Company, an independent wealth planning group in Lexington that specializes in assisting individuals, families and businesses in growing and protecting their assets for the future. Art is also a decades-long member of the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table, an independent association of the world's leading financial services professionals. Art and Simone, his wife of 52 years, have two sons, Seth (married to Erin) and Jonathan (married to Caroline), two granddaughters and a brand new grandson. Seth, a certified financial planner, works alongside his father at
programs, makes it possible for anyone to
Community Foundation. And, both Seth and
Salomon & Company.
leave a meaningful legacy.”
Erin are members of BGCF365, an initiative of
Art grew up in Brooklyn, New York, but came
Art takes the long view in his personal life as
to Lexington to attend the University of
well.
Kentucky and never left. After graduating from UK with a degree in business education, Art taught at Blackburn Correctional Institution (known then as Kentucky Village Reformatory), and then earned a master’s degree in business at Eastern Kentucky University. In 1977, he established Salomon & Company.
the Community Foundation that provides grantmaking and networking opportunities for aspiring philanthropic and civic leaders.
Art and Simone have established two endowed giving funds at BGCF: a designated fund to benefit their place of worship, Ohavay Zion Synagogue, and a multi-generational donor advised fund, the Menschlekeit Fund. As advisors to the Menschlekeit Fund, Art and Simone recommend grants for the charitable causes that speak to them. Sons Jonathan
“The Community Foundation makes it easy for me to give to the causes I already love. But it also makes me aware of even more causes I want to support,” says Art. “And, speaking as a financial advisor, the Community Foundation offers its donors attractive tax benefits for supporting causes that make Lexington a better place for us all.”
In his role as professional advisor, Art
and Seth will serve as the next generation of
frequently recommends Blue Grass
advisors to the fund, and after them, their
To learn how you and your family can
Community Foundation to his clients.
children.
support your community and leave a
“It’s important to give back,” says Art, “and
Seth and his wife, Erin, have continued the
the Community Foundation, with its
family tradition of giving back by establishing
personalized services and innovative
their own donor advised fund at the
meaningful legacy, contact BGCF Vice President of Advancement Scott Fitzpatrick at 859.225.3343. 1
SUMMER 2021
BLUE GRASS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION