From the CEO

April 13, 2012

             

Trusts were good to our ministry in the first century!

  

Names like Shuey, Little and Willard have been prominent in the trusts that I have personally seen at work since 1983.  I remember Cecelia Willard.  She had ties to Land Harbor and Hickory in North Carolina, plus Boerne, Texas.  The legal documents referred to her trust as a “helping fund.”  I remember that after her death, the trustees visited our campus and were impressed with how our ministry “helped” children.

    

My prayer is for the Centennial Campaign to establish additional trust funds, as we enter the second century of “helping” children overcome the emotional impact of abuse and neglect.

  

A dozen trusts have brought in $1,660,350 in the last three fiscal years.  Some are small and some are large.  The Morrison Fund generated $321 in the last fiscal year.  The Cannon Trust generated $506,165.  The Willard Fund generated $31,894.

The Complete Estate Planning Guidebook by The Wall Street Journal states “Trusts were once thought as a financial planning tool for the super-rich.  But trusts can be a very important estate-planning took even if you’re not swimming in money.”

Like most industries, estate planning has its own language.  You will hear of inheritor’s trusts, credit shelter trusts and even QTIP and QPRT trusts.  Irrevocable vehicles, such as a charitable lead or remainder trust, can also provide funds for family members before benefitting a charity.  And, of course, there are tax considerations.

Sound confusing?  It can be.  This is where the Grandfather Home ministry can help through our planned giving committee and the Children’s Trust Society.  We even have a geographically dispersed staff of experts to assist us from The Presbyterian Foundation.  Depending upon where you live, The Presbyterian Foundation has officers ready to assist you.  I have met with all of them, know them reasonably well, and their time spent with you is at no cost to you or Grandfather Home.

If you, a friend of family member wish to talk about establishing a trust to benefit the boys and girls of Grandfather Home for Children, please drop a letter in the mail or call my cell at (828) 898-3289.

 

Jim Swinkola, CEO

P.S.  Keep your fingers crossed that computer problems at Grandfather Home are resolved.

 

 

Jim's Grandkids

Ashlin celebrated her third birthday!

(Before)                                                                (After)

Ashlin and Kiera: