Dot Heffron has joined the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond’s professional team as director of Women’s Philanthropy.
In this position, she will help engage volunteers and build bridges with the Jewish and general community throughout Greater Richmond. She will also guide Dignity Grows, a nearly two-year-old Federation initiative to combat period poverty.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dot to Federation,” said JCFR CEO Daniel Staffenberg. “I am excited to work alongside her to build on the success and growth Women’s Philanthropy has experienced. Dot understands the unique and important role women play in building and sustaining our Jewish community, for today and for generations to come.”
Heffron stated, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to combine my passion for supporting women’s leadership and my long connection to the Richmond Jewish community. I look forward to building meaningful relationships while supporting the vision of the Women’s Philanthropy leadership team.”
She has a strong background in non-profit and community leadership including roles in organizational management, fundraising and building partnerships in both the Jewish and general community. She has specifically focused on raising female voices. She comes to the Federation after many years as an educator and community organizer, and currently chairs the Chesterfield County School Board – first elected to the board in 2019.
Running for the school board helped her learn more about the importance of building relationships, she noted.
“This is an important goal in the work I will be doing at the Federation – developing and building long and strong relationships with Jewish women in the community and noting the important work Federation does locally and around the world. Donating to the Federation is an investment in the Jewish community for all donors,” Heffron said.
She also is a former 7th grade English teacher at Providence Middle School in Chesterfield County.
“I first started volunteering at my childrens’ school and also tutored newcomers helping them learn English as a second language. I really enjoyed doing that work. It was quite rewarding and inspired me to move into teaching English as a profession. For me, education is a foundation for every good community.”
Her involvement in the Jewish Community includes currently serving on the board of managers at Congregation Beth Ahabah and earlier working part-time at Beth Ahabah Museum and Archives.
“I learned so much about Richmond Jewish history and the many Richmond families while at the Archives. It really gave me a birds-eye view of the Jewish community.”
She noted, “The Jewish community has always been a big part of my family’s life, most importantly working closely with JFS over a number of years while adopting our two oldest children through JFS. Also, my older two were lucky to take the Federation P2G Teen trip to Israel and we hosted Israeli teens when they came to Richmond as part of P2G. My youngest hopes to go next summer.”
Heffron also went to Israel on a Momentum Trip several years ago through Keneseth Beth Israel. “That was truly a great experience.”
She added, “There are so many ways the Federation and the Jewish community have touched my life over many years. I want to give back to my community in this new position.”
Heffron will work closely with the Chief Development Officer Brad Kaplan, Women’s Philanthropy Chair Jill Goldfine and the Women’s Philanthropy Board, partners, and Federation staff in raising the human and financial resources needed to build a strong, vibrant, diverse, and inclusive Jewish community locally and globally and to build and inspire women of all ages and backgrounds to become engaged Jewish communal members and leaders.
She earned her degree in history and political science from Virginia Commonwealth University and has been an active member of Congregation Beth Ahabah. She and her husband, Richard, have three children.
To reach Dot, email dheffron@jewishrichmond.org.
