By Mary Quilici Aumack
Because we facilitate philanthropy, our office is always busy in the last few weeks of the year. We often get requests to open Donor Advised Funds after Christmas. Such was the case in 2017 when we received a call asking if we had a fax machine…Did we still have a fax machine? Turns out we did. That fax started a new Donor Advised Fund for a family we had never met before.
The following year, one of them retired. Although they were already active in their parish and other ministries, we reached out to see if they would be interested in learning about effective ministries and programs in our community. We met for coffee to discuss their areas of interest and passion.
Since that first coffee meeting, we have established a beautiful, mutually beneficial friendship. We check in with each other frequently. Ideas have blossomed into fruitful endeavors, benefiting programs throughout the community for both immediate and long-term needs.
We are grateful to be a connector between generous families and effective programs. This is our main goal – to help the arc of Catholic Philanthropy become larger and more effective, bringing community improvement and joy. This is FOREVER VALUE.