By Laura Fitzgerald
Community members who want to leave a lasting legacy and make a meaningful impact beyond their lifetimes can do so through planned giving options at the Community Foundation.
“All of us, I think, have an obligation to serve our community, however each of us decides to do so. Having the opportunity to be part of the Foundation’s philanthropic work has been a blessed way for me to try to meet that obligation. For Gail and me, we also want part of serving our community to be in a way that outlasts our lifetimes, and this will be through gifts we make in our estate plan. I know that the Community Foundation will be the best steward of our hard-earned funds to benefit the YMCA endowment fund and through an unrestricted gift to the Community Foundation,” said Chuck Kelly, Community Foundation Board Member.
Chuck and Gail Kelly are passionate about the work of the YMCA and the Community Foundation. As long-time community leaders, volunteers, and supporters of both organizations, they felt it was important to plan for long-term support that would last for generations.
The Foundation helps donors make donations that will be granted to an organization or cause of their choice upon their passing through planned giving. Donors can provide funds through their estate to contribute to an existing fund or create a new one.
Not all donors come to the Foundation with a list of favorite charities or a clear idea of what they want to do. Some donors don’t have beneficiaries for their estate, while others have areas of the community they want to impact but aren’t sure how to proceed. That’s why the Community Foundation takes the time to work with donors to determine what’s right for them and identify their charitable goals together.
You don’t need to be a multi-millionaire to give, nor do you need to give 100% of your estate to charity. You can bequeath a small percentage from your retirement account or designate a portion of a life insurance policy. Any charitable gift adds to the collective impact of the Community Foundation’s work.
For example, Carolyn Crowe, who has a heart for Leader Dogs, therapy dogs, dog training, and local shelters, is no stranger to the Foundation. She wanted to ensure that support for animal welfare would continue long after she could provide it directly.
“I wanted to be sure that support for animals was available long after I’m able to provide it directly. There wasn’t an animal welfare fund locally, so I started an endowed fund for just that purpose and will make a gift to it from my estate,” said Crowe.
Not sure which organization or cause to support? No problem! The Community Foundation can help you identify nonprofits and causes that align with your interests. The Foundation’s team ensures you’ll have a charitable advisor guiding you through every step of the giving journey, ensuring your dollars have the highest local impact.
Some donors also choose to support state or national charities in addition to local causes. The Community Foundation is here to help donors give wherever they wish, not just to the Foundation itself. The Foundation doesn’t have annual fundraising goals, nor will you be bombarded with requests to give.
Donors who make a planned gift are welcomed into the Foundation’s Legacy Society, which recognizes and forever honors the names and spirits of its donors. Joining is as simple as informing the Foundation of your intention to make an estate gift through a letter of intent, which is revocable and can be changed.
You can support the arts, enrich education, promote community development, or help foster a stronger community through the Community Foundation. Simply let us know what’s important to you. For a confidential conversation about your charitable plans or for help putting a plan in place, please reach out to Jackie Hanton.