Donor-advised fund helps family with charitable donations

Melissa and John Duffy. (Submitted photo)

Special to The Criterion

For John and Melissa Duffy, giving to charity was instilled at a young age and reinforced throughout their lives by their family and faith community.

Melissa, a nurse practitioner by training, is currently a stay-at-home mom to sixth-grade triplets, Martin, Michael and Lauren. John is employed by Morgan Stanley, and has 20 years of experience in the investment industry. Both have been generous with the Church and the greater Indianapolis community.

Melissa shares her gifts at St. Simon the Apostle Parish, the family’s parish in Indianapolis, and with community organizations such as the Indianapolis Children’s Museum Guild.

John was a cabinet member for the archdiocese’s “Legacy for Our Mission” campaign. He currently serves on the board of directors at Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School as well as the finance committee at Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary, both in Indianapolis.

The Catholic faith is a guidepost for the Duffy family.

“Our enthusiasm for our faith translates to a strong willingness to serve the needs of the Church,” said John.

The Duffy’s engagement in the Church has led them to make sacrifices in order to support its ministries.

Recently, the couple made the decision to establish a donor-advised fund with the Catholic Community Foundation (CCF). The fund, simply described as a charitable checking account, enables John and Melissa to make charitable contributions on a regular basis in any amount to one or multiple Catholic ministries.

And the fund keeps John, Melissa and their children actively involved.

“The fund is an important teaching opportunity for our children,” Melissa said. “We plan to share our giving decisions with them, and include them in the decision-making process when they get a bit older. We like the idea of them eventually being able to designate gifts to suitable charities.”

Offered by the CCF, a donor-advised fund is a charitable gifting instrument. It is a simple, less costly alternative to establishing and maintaining a private foundation, explained Ellen Brunner, CCF director.

“The beauty of the donor-advised fund is that the benefactors have the ability to direct grants from the donor-advised funds to Catholic ministry areas closest to their hearts,” Brunner said. “Donors contribute tax-deductible assets to their donor-advised funds, and recommend distributions from the account to charitable organizations of their choice over time.”

CCF does the record keeping and due diligence, and, unlike private foundations, can protect a donor’s identity, if requested, Brunner added.
 

(For more information about establishing a donor-advised fund or information about the many charitable and gift planning opportunities available through the Catholic Community Foundation, please contact them at 317-236-1482 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1482. They will be happy to assist you.) †