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Learn how Scott and Holly are transforming lives and landscapes with their charitable giving.

Local giving is a significant part of Scott and Holly’s lives.

For years, they had supported organizations around the holidays but knew they wanted to do more. So, Scott’s childhood friend Roy, an attorney and estate planner, recommended they connect with the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. They quickly learned the ease of giving through several options with a community foundation and were confident the organization would help them carry out their charitable giving goals.

To support their favorite causes, the couple opened three funds with the Foundation:

Donor advised fund (DAF)
Designated education fund
Community advised fund

“We came to the conclusion that the Foundation was a good match for us because of the programs they offer,” said Scott. “We were very comfortable with our advisor and were attracted to the fact that the Foundation serves all of Minnesota.”

Local Giving with Local Impact

“By the time we decided to establish the donor advised fund, we had a pretty good idea of the kinds of organizations and even specific organizations that we wanted to support,” Scott said. “A donor advised fund made it easy for us to focus and make periodic lump sum contributions and grant recommendations to various organizations over the years.”

A donor advised fund is both a flexible and efficient way to organize your charitable giving. This type of charitable account allows donors the ability to give as often as they want to various nonprofits throughout the year. It may also have tax advantages. Donors can contribute a wide range of assets such as stocks, mutual funds, farm assets and real estate to support the causes they care about most.

Since retiring, the importance of giving locally and working with a community foundation has been more evident to Scott and Holly in cementing their legacy.

“We wanted to make a difference on more of a local level," said Holly. “We felt like we were making a difference with smaller groups, but when the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation came in, we were able to find new organizations and causes that were important to us.”

Being from Waseca, Scott knew he wanted to support nonprofits and causes in his hometown. They also were interested in supporting organizations that address food insecurity and value the environment, education and youth.

Through their DAF they have recommended grants to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Second Harvest Heartland, Urban Boat Builders, Urban Roots and Union Gospel Mission to name a few.

Grow Your Giving

Taking Giving to a Higher Level

“I think our relationship with the Foundation is what has taken our charitable giving to a higher level,” Holly said. “Now the donations that we make through our donor advised fund are more thoughtful.”

This includes ensuring that the couple continues to support the Northland Foundation’s unique youth philanthropy program, which exposes young people across northeast Minnesota to grantmaking, budgeting and philanthropic activities. Having served on Northland's Board of Trustees for five years and as President of the foundation's Northland Institute subsidiary for 14 years, Scott continues to value the couple's relationship with Northland.

“My interest in charitable giving jelled when I got involved with the Northland Foundation,” Scott said.

There Scott learned the value of giving with a purpose and getting youth involved in philanthropy through unique programs that teach them how to manage funding and make grants.

“ We wanted to make a difference on more of a local level... when the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation came in, we were able to find new organizations and causes that were important to us.”

Holly

With their other two funds, Scott and Holly wanted to find a way to honor the legacy of Scott’s brother.

Gregg was a Waseca High School graduate. He was also a schoolteacher who taught junior high school social studies for over 40 years, having spent most of his career in Shakopee. When he passed three years ago, the couple established a designated education fund to support Shakopee High School graduating seniors.

They also partnered with the Waseca Area Foundation to establish a community advised fund, which operates like a DAF. Instead of being overseen by Scott and Holly, a board of local community members directs grants to support scholarships for Waseca High School graduating seniors.

A Conduit to Continue Giving into the Future

Scott and Holly aren’t sure what legacy they will leave behind, but they hope it is one that will continue to support youth and environmental organizations throughout the state while encouraging others to do the same.

“We just want to make sure we have a conduit through the Foundation to continue our giving,” Scott said.

“You’d like to think you made a little difference in the world when you’re not here,” said Holly. “And if we can spread that enthusiasm amongst friends, all the better.”

Giving doesn’t have to be complicated. Learn how easy it can be to support your favorite causes by opening a DAF or other funds with the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation.

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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