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 Salomon & Company.

Art grew up in Brooklyn, New York, but came to Lexington to attend the University of 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.

In his role as professional advisor, Art frequently recommends Blue Grass Community Foundation to his clients. “It’s important to give back,” says Art, “and the Community Foundation, with its personalized services and innovative programs, makes it possible for anyone to leave a meaningful legacy.”

Art takes the long view in his personal life as well. 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 and Seth will serve as the next generation of advisors to the fund, and after them, their children.

Seth and his wife, Erin, have continued the family tradition of giving back by establishing their own donor advised fund at the Community Foundation. And, both Seth and
Erin are members of BGCF365, an initiative of the Community Foundation that provides grantmaking and networking opportunities for aspiring philanthropic and civic leaders.

“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.”

 

To learn how you and your family can support your community and leave a meaningful legacy, contact BGCF Vice President of Advancement Scott Fitzpatrick at 859.225.3343.