Boundless paths to giving

Three generous donors share how the Community Foundation helped them expand their philanthropy.

Estate planning

As an organizing member of the Fulton Association for Community Enrichment (FACE), a Geographic Affiliate Fund of the Quad Cities Community Foundation, Connie Koehn has championed philanthropy and community giving in Fulton, Illinois, for decades. She is committed to championing philanthropy in her own family as well.

Koehn and her husband, Ron, recently participated in a values-based estate planning process with Thompson & Associates, an estate planning firm the Community Foundation introduced them to. “We had a solid estate plan, but it is always worthwhile to gain a new perspective,” said Koehn. “We found a few small changes that will make a big difference. By altering one paragraph alone, we cut taxes by a huge percentage. That’s going to benefit us and the charities our estate supports.”

Lance Heuer

Gifts of farm assets

Gifts of farmland, crops, livestock, and other property to the Community Foundation can create a legacy for land and the community around it. Lance Heuer recently formalized plans to eventually turn his 140-acre Scott County farm into a valuable gift to the Community Foundation. “This land has supported my family and community for generations,” said Heuer. “I’m proud to be a steward of this property and ensure it will remain productive, cared for, and part of the local economy for many years to come.”

Gifts of property radically simplify estate planning and bring tax benefits for donors. As a former banker, Heuer saw firsthand how a lack of planning can cause stress and strife. A short visit with the Community Foundation allowed him to create a community-focused legacy for his land. “I’m a small part of a long chain, and this gift will support the organizations I believe in well into the future,” he said.

Insurance policy gifts

John M. has lived in Moline for nearly 60 years and worked for John Deere as an engineer. Now, he’s made a life-changing gift to local students. He has established an endowed scholarship by gifting the paid-up amount of a life insurance policy to the Community Foundation. The value of the policy will establish a perpetual scholarship for local STEM students at two of our region’s higher education institutions.

“The Community Foundation made a complicated process very simple and approachable,” said John. “They were with me every step of the way and handled every detail required. They allowed me to use my assets to support a cause I deeply believe in, with the bonus of an income tax credit to apply to future Federal income taxes. Now, I hope more people take advantage of this option.”

And that’s just the beginning. To find the right giving option for you, contact annecalder@ QCCommunityFoundation.org or (563) 326-2840.