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Learn how one couple’s gift of real estate will support young library patrons for future generations.

Scott and Kathy H. understood the importance of public libraries. For decades, they both worked for the Saint Paul Public Library, Scott as a building engineer and Kathy as a librarian and branch manager.

Inspired by the work of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library and its founder Perrie Jones, the couple chose to create their own legacy through a charitable gift in their will.

While still working, they made the decision to gift their home through their will to The Friends of the Saint Paul Library (The Friends). Since they have both passed, proceeds from the sale of the home are to establish an endowment that supports programming for youth, children and families at Saint Paul public libraries.

Scott and Kathy's Lasting Legacy

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I first met Kathy and Scott at a donor appreciation lunch that we hold every year for our donors.

They would come in together and just, chatty wonderful people. Just so much fun to talk to.

For a couple like Scott and Kathy, who knew the library so intimately, because they both worked here for most of their careers, they saw the impact that the library had every single day on the lives of people in Saint Paul.

And so the decision to leave their home as part of their estate to the Friends, knowing that that would benefit library users and Saint Paul residents for generations to come, is just such a thoughtful, generous affirmation of what they really understood the importance of libraries to be.

We knew that Scott and Kathy had included the Friends in their estate plans and that we would receive the gift of their home after, in this case, Scott passing. Kathy preceded him in death by a few years. And they always were very clear that the proceeds from the sale of this home were to benefit something that was particularly important to them in the library, which is the programming that served kids, children, youth, and the families who support those children.

And there's so much that happens in our libraries that supports young people. The proceeds from the sale are actually going to become the anchor of a new endowment that we are establishing at the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation.

We are really excited to be building a children, youth and family endowment fund. It shows you the value of planned giving, including organizations in your estate plan, your wills, your trusts, your retirement plan.

The fact that they had the foresight that maybe they couldn't give annual gifts in great amounts, but they could make a huge impact after they're gone.

And what that means is that every year library directors and youth services managers can look out into the community and really respond to the needs of that moment and create programs, maybe purchase materials, but develop programs for kids and families across Saint Paul. And that's gonna be Scott and Kathy's legacy in perpetuity, is really caring for children and families in Saint Paul through this new endowment fund.

The Benefits of Giving Through Your Will

“What that means is that every year library directors and youth services managers can look out into the community and really respond to the needs of that moment and create programs, maybe purchase materials, but develop programs for kids and families across Saint Paul,” said President of The Friends, Beth Burns.

"That's going to be Scott and Kathy's legacy in perpetuity; really caring for children and families in Saint Paul through this new endowment fund.”

Kathy knew the impact that endowments could have on someone’s future. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, she received the Perrie Jones scholarship – part of the Perrie Jones Library Fund that provides scholarships and grants for the improvement and strengthening of public library service.

This scholarship helped Kathy earn her master's in library science from the University of Minnesota, which led to a long career at the Saint Paul Public Library. Kathy, who was well known for her children's story times, loved the library and, like Perrie, wanted to include the libraries in her charitable estate plan.

“It shows you the value of planned giving, including organizations in your estate plan, your wills, your trust, your retirement plans,” said Liz Boyd, director of special events and donor relations at The Friends. “The fact that they had the foresight that maybe they couldn't give annual gifts in great amounts, but they could make a huge impact after they are gone matters.”

That's going to be Scott and Kathy's legacy in perpetuity; really caring for children and families in Saint Paul.

Beth Burns, The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library

Establishing a Fund with a Trusted Partner

This fund is just one of over a dozen various funds The Friends have established with the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation over the years through our nonprofit endowment services.

“We could not do our work without the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation,” Beth said. “Beyond dollars, the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation is a leader in the community, generating ideas and creating space for us to really look at the challenges facing our community and asking ourselves what role we play in solving those problems.”

“I want to express gratitude for not only the institutional funders like the Foundation, who continue to invest in our communities in such creative and thoughtful ways, but also to the generous individuals in the community that understand that taking care of yourself is not the same as taking care of your community.”

To learn more about how the Foundation can support you in your giving, join our email list to stay connected.

For more examples of real estate donations, see our blog posts:

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors regarding your individual situation before engaging in any transaction.

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