Leading by example

“What would my dad say about us writing a story on his generosity?

“‘No, you’re not,’” laughed Dan Molyneaux, Jr.

“But really, the reason he would have done it is for someone else to see it and say, ‘I can do that.’” 

Dan Molyneaux, Sr., may have been private about his philanthropy during his lifetime, but when he passed away last summer, he left a legacy of generosity as an example for anyone moved to live their values by supporting their community.

Born in Davenport in 1933, he returned to his hometown after college and serving in the United States Army to join his father at Molyneaux Insurance. For the next six decades, Dan, Sr., devoted himself to growing the agency and serving its clients, helping to raise six children, and giving back to his community through service and philanthropy.  

Faith was at the heart of his generosity. “He believed that the gifts we have are not for us but are to be shared,” said Dan, Jr. “And that what you do for others is the most important thing in your life,” added Dan, Jr.’s sister, Cathi Brain.

Through a donor-advised fund established at the Quad Cities Community Foundation in 2002, Dan, Sr., and his wife, Katie, granted to a number of Catholic organizations. But each year they also supported a wide range of causes across the region they called home, from youth and families to education and the arts. Uniting these charitable grants, according to Dan, Jr., and Cathi, was a local focus.

“I think that’s where he felt he could make the most difference,” said Dan, Jr. “The people he lived with and worked with and saw every day. It has a ripple effect.”  

“The impact of Dan and Katie’s generosity on their community was truly remarkable,” said Anne Calder, vice president of development at the Community Foundation. “They may have been quiet about their philanthropy, but they were steadfast supporters of the causes and organizations that mattered to them.”

Cathi recalled her parents involving her and her siblings in community events and organizations from an early age. “Whether it was selling doughnuts at church or ham sandwiches at the golf tournament for St. Paul the Apostle School, we were active in every organization we were a part of,” she said. “They coached our sports teams and served on boards and committees. The idea of generosity began with service to others.”

Today, both Cathi and Dan, Jr., are grateful to be able to further their father’s legacy by financially supporting the causes that are important to them. “He never said, ‘Hey, this is what you should do.’ It was all by example,” said Dan, Jr. “I’ve been blessed, and I have an opportunity to make a difference.”

Through his giving, Dan, Sr., also modeled the benefits of working with the Community Foundation. “For one thing, it just simplified his life,” said Dan, Jr., who has established his own donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation.

“He knew he could talk to the Community Foundation about his priorities, and they would know what’s going on in the community that’s making an impact,” added Cathi. “He saw the value of their connection to the community and how they’re uniquely designed to put money where it’s most needed. You can make so much bigger of an impact by working with others than by yourself.”