Jewish Federation of Greater Naples receives $10 million

February 9, 2025

A Jewish grandfather helps his grandson during a Passover Seder.

Naples, Florida-based philanthropists Stephen Saks—a retired car wash owner—and his wife, Bebe, have awarded $20 million to local nonprofits, Lifestyles Magazine reports.

The grants, made through the Stephen & Bebe Saks Family Foundation, include a $10 million award to the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples—JFGN’s largest gift ever—establishing an endowment to bolster Jewish event programming and community support. Additional recipients include the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center, the Baker Senior Center Naples, the Jewish National Fund, Temple Shalom, and Golden Paws Assistance Dogs.

“The older one gets, the more likely their priorities change,” said Stephen Saks, who turns 95 in June, in a press release. “I wanted to feel a sense that my long, financially successful life would serve a higher purpose. Judaism locally would be at the forefront of my charitable giving path.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/halbergman)

"$20 million donation from philanthropists Stephen and Bebe Saks to nonprofits serving both the Jewish community and greater Southwest Florida." Lifestyles Magazine 01/22/2025.