Donor’s $1.5M estate gift to support foundation’s work

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area (CFHZ) recently received an almost $1.5 million estate gift from a local donor. 

The donor, who asked to remain anonymous, disclosed the commitment during the “Today. Tomorrow. Forever” campaign in 2015, which raised awareness of the Community’s Endowment and the impact of estate gifts. The campaign created more than 100 legacy commitments for the Foundation. 

“We are grateful to the donor of this estate gift for their incredible support of the Community’s Endowment,” says Patrick Cisler, president/CEO of the foundation. “As an organization, we rely upon the resources available in the endowment to create impact by responding to our community’s most pressing needs and promising opportunities, even as they change over time. This individual’s gift is so meaningful, because we know that as our endowment grows, so does our impact.”   
Established in 1951, CFHZ operates the Community’s Endowment, helps donors achieve their charitable goals, and collaborates on community initiatives in the Holland/Zeeland area.  

CFHZ is on track this year to distribute more than $1 million from the endowment to benefit the Holland/Zeeland area. Recent grants have been in the areas of housing, human services, youth, and education, along with investments across the entire local nonprofit sector. 

Charitable estate management

In an effort to educate donors about the options for legacy gifts, the foundation offers charitable estate management. This service allows an individual or family to create a customized plan for the charitable portion of their estate. CFHZ works with individuals and families, as well as their professional advisors, to help donors ensure their personal values are reflected in their estate plans.   

“It’s estimated that approximately 50% of Americans do not have an up‐to‐date estate plan,” says Colleen Hill, vice president of development and donor services. “We believe that it’s important to support your family, and meaningful to consider providing for the greater community through your estate plan. Our goal at the Community Foundation is to walk alongside donors and help them turn their charitable passion into a lasting legacy.”