How one Birmingham family makes giving back a family tradition—and you can too

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When you think about “family traditions,” you might picture Sunday dinners or annual vacations. But for Sanjay Singh and his family, giving back to the Birmingham community has become one of their most meaningful shared traditions.

We sat down with Sanjay to learn more about the importance of giving back to his community, and some of the local organizations he holds near and dear. Plus, why starting your own family fund is easier than you think.

Meet the Singhs

Originally from Kolkata, India, Sanjay moved to Birmingham in 1993 to join UAB’s Collat School of Business as an assistant professor.

Today, he’s a partner at CS Equities, and you’ll often find him involved in local nonprofit work through the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, Birmingham Museum of Art and Alys Stephens Center.

For Sanjay and his wife Dora, philanthropy isn’t just something they do for fun—it’s a reflection of their values.

“Both my wife and I are immigrants. Our journey to the U.S. was shaped by education.

Hence, when the time came, we established scholarships at UAB to support students with financial needs and arts institutions that increase cultural awareness and acceptance.”

Sanjay Singh

Giving as a family

The Singhs’ story shows that family philanthropy doesn’t have to be complicated—or reserved for the ultra-wealthy. Through their donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, the family can focus on what really matters: supporting causes they care about, together.

“We have massive societal challenges that government and companies cannot solve. The U.S. is the most philanthropic country in the world. Individuals and families have to get involved and support fellow citizens.”

Sanjay Singh

By involving their children and close friends in conversations about where to give, the Singhs are helping the next generation connect to community needs in a meaningful way. 

Over the years, the Singhs have supported many local organizations through their fund, including UAB, the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Alys Stephens Center, Alabama Possible, HICA and the Literacy Council of Central Alabama, to name a few.

Making an impact close to home

Some of the most rewarding moments come from seeing their giving come to life in the community. Sanjay recalled attending the annual celebration of Holi (the Festival of Colors) at the Birmingham Museum of Art and CityWalk BHAM—an event that now draws thousands each spring.

“It’s incredibly special to see something you helped nurture become part of the city’s cultural fabric.”

Sanjay Singh

Another highlight? Attending UAB’s Scholarship Luncheon, where he meets students whose paths have been changed through the scholarships he and Dora helped establish.

“Those are moments that stay with you.”

Sanjay Singh

Starting a family fund is easy

Thinking about starting your own family fund?

Whether your family wants to give to education, the arts or other causes close to your heart, the Community Foundation makes it easy to collaborate, learn and make a lasting difference right here in Greater Birmingham.

With a donor-advised fund, families like the Singhs can make charitable contributions, receive immediate tax benefits and recommend grants to local nonprofits over time—all with expert guidance and community insight from the Foundation’s team.

“The main advantage is that families do not have to worry about building the infrastructure for paperwork, compliance or developing local knowledge about nonprofit partner organizations. The Community Foundation allows us to focus on the issues that are near and dear to our values and concentrate on the actual work.”

Sanjay Singh

His advice?

“Start early and get fully immersed. There’s no greater joy or feeling of satisfaction than to get involved with communities and organizations as early and as fast as possible.”

Sanjay Singh

The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham makes it easy to collaborate, learn + make a lasting difference right here in our home.

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