For Darrin Jahnel, success isn’t defined solely by business growth or entrepreneurial achievement, it’s measured by impact. The co-founder of the Jahnel Group, a Schenectady-based custom software firm that has grown to nearly 200 employees across multiple ventures, has increasingly turned his attention toward philanthropy, guided by a desire to create lasting change in the community he calls home.

Jahnel’s commitment to giving is deeply personal. Alongside his wife, Jennifer, he has built a life centered on faith, family, and service. The couple have prioritized supporting organizations that align with their values. Among them are Mekeel Christian Academy, where Jahnel serves on the board, the City Mission of Schenectady, and Liberty Church.

“We’ve always been passionate about giving,” Jahnel said. “It’s just part of who we are, our faith, our family, and how we want to live our lives.”

That commitment took on new structure and scale when Jahnel began working with the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region.

Through the Community Foundation, Jahnel established a donor-advised fund, allowing him to streamline his charitable contributions while maintaining flexibility in how funds are distributed.

But it was a more complex challenge that solidified the partnership.

Jahnel had accumulated cryptocurrency over time and wanted to donate a portion of it, specifically Bitcoin, to support his charitable efforts. The process, however, was anything but straightforward.

“It’s surprisingly difficult to donate cryptocurrency,” he said. “There are tax implications, valuation challenges, and a lot of unknowns. I wouldn’t have even known where to begin.”

Working with the Community Foundation, Jahnel was able to navigate those complexities. The organization developed a process to accept the cryptocurrency, convert it, and place the funds directly into his donor-advised fund, eliminating significant administrative and financial hurdles.

“They made it incredibly easy,” Jahnel said. “I was able to transfer the Bitcoin, avoid the complications of selling it myself, and immediately put those resources to work. It saved an enormous amount of time and energy.”

John Eberle, President and CEO of the Community Foundation, said Jahnel’s situation reflects a growing trend among donors seeking more sophisticated giving strategies.

“Darrin represents a new generation of philanthropists who are thinking creatively about how to maximize their impact,” Eberle said. “Our role is to meet donors where they are, whether that’s navigating complex assets like cryptocurrency or helping them build a long-term charitable legacy.”

For Jahnel, that idea of legacy has become increasingly important. While his immediate focus remains on supporting organizations in Schenectady, he is also thinking decades ahead.

“I’m only getting started,” he said. “I’ve got another 30 or 40 years to make an impact. But what really excites me is the idea that this can continue long after I’m gone.”

That long-term vision was shaped in part by learning about existing funds managed by the Community Foundation, some of which have continued to grow and distribute grants for generations.

“Hearing those stories was powerful,” Jahnel said. “The idea that you can set something up today that’s still helping people 50 or 100 years from now, that’s incredible.”

Ultimately, Jahnel sees philanthropy not as a side endeavor, but as a central measure of a meaningful life.

“Success, to me, is about how many people you can positively impact,” he said. “If we can use our resources to truly change someone’s trajectory, that’s what matters most.”

With the support of the Community Foundation, Jahnel is positioning himself to do just that, both now and for generations to come.