Donor Spotlight: Dan Snyder

This is the first Donor Spotlight, a new feature celebrating the people who make our community what it is.

Dan Snyder doesn't seek the spotlight. But he believes philanthropy is essential to a thriving society and was kind enough to share why. The libraries, museums, and colleges that define civic life, he says, were built by people who valued community over personal wealth. That conviction has shaped a life of giving, and he hopes others will be inspired to make a lasting impact. 

What brought you to JFS? 

I had heard of JFS around the time the Los Gatos JCC was being built, because I knew people involved in that community effort. But it wasn’t until the war in Ukraine, with so many refugees in the area, that I learned of JFS Silicon Valley and their work to help resettle and support refugees from all over the world. Having helped a family settle in a teacher’s ADU, I realized how much work it takes just to get a family placed.

Having served as president of the Los Gatos Education Foundation and later on the elementary school board, I learned that even in Los Gatos, there is a segment of our population that is very low income, struggling to feed and clothe their children, yet functionally invisible to most people. They work in and love our town and our schools, but almost never raise their hands (or their children’s) to seek help out of embarrassment.

Later, a friend invited me to Good Day JFS, and I couldn’t believe all the work JFS does for our community, helping people of all faiths and backgrounds. I was inspired to tears, and vowed to help.

What is it about JFS’s work that feels most meaningful to you? 

I was really inspired by the English-language classes with wraparound services for our newest refugees.  These were people who didn’t want a handout, just a hand-up to have the skills (and language) to get work and be independent.  But the services were so well conceived, including job interviewing skills.

When you think about the impact of your giving, what do you hope it makes possible for the people JFS serves?

For them to become thriving members of our general community, and to feel welcome and wanted.

Why is giving back to the community important to you? 

What drew us to Los Gatos, and is true of many local towns, was the sense of community, where people come together to eat, play, and connect. That doesn’t just come with a downtown or stores, but parks, community centers, libraries, great schools, etc.  That doesn’t exist where everyone only looks out for themselves or builds gates around their property.  Those of us who can need to invest in the common good because it makes us all better.  

I learned this from my child’s first year in kindergarten.  I could just buy school supplies for my child, which was the minimum requested back then. But if I gave more, to the Home & School Club or LGEF, then every child could have supplies, or music classes, or art instruction, and then 120 kids, or even 3,200 could all get a great education.  Because if some don’t have the resources, then the teacher/school can’t offer it for anyone.

Just for fun: What book is on your nightstand? 

James, by Percival Everett.