London Community Foundation

ALL IN THE FAMILY: The O’Neills and Kaysers are among the many families who have chosen London Community Foundation to practice active philanthropy.

When Bob Kayser retired as a senior executive with Medtronic, an international medical devices company, he and his wife Alexandra moved to London to be close to their daughter and two grandchildren. But they also had another retirement goal – to begin what Bob calls “the payback period of our lives.”

The Kaysers are active in several local organizations, including the Make-A Wish Foundation and the Boys’ and Girls’ Club. They were planning to set up a private family foundation that would support causes close to their hearts, and involve their children, and eventually their grandchildren, in active and involved philanthropy. “It was important to us to pay back to the community in which we are living,” says Alexandra.

After a meeting at London Community Foundation, the Kaysers decided they could achieve all their goals by establishing a donor-advised fund with the Foundation. The Kaysers have set up a permanently endowed fund that will be added to and allowed to grow for several years, and a separate fund that will allow them to begin making grants immediately. “I’m happy to work with London Community Foundation because they’re out there, finding out what the issues are, identifying the needs, and helping us find a match with the objectives of our fund,” says Bob. The Kaysers are planning to focus their granting on organizations that support women and children, and will eventually develop a mission statement for their fund.

Andra and Patrick O’Neill share the Kaysers’ commitment to giving back and have also established a donor advised family fund at London Community Foundation. Both investment advisors at CIBC Wood Gundy, the O’Neills first became aware of the Foundation’s work through presentations to the professional advisor community. “We definitely wanted to be aware of the opportunities available for our clients,” says Andra. “With London Community Foundation, we found an organization that’s very well run and solid, and gives people the confidence that their assets are being preserved and used the way they want.”

But for the O’Neills, who are also active volunteers in several local organizations, the involvement went beyond the professional. “We decided to make a personal commitment,” says Patrick, “because if you haven’t gone through the process yourself, you haven’t really thought it through the way you’re encouraging your clients to.” They wanted their two little girls to grow up participating in philanthropy. “The big picture,” says Andra, “is that we’re creating something that will give us a focus to do great things, and will live well beyond Patrick and myself. “

The Kaysers’ children are thrilled that their parents have established a family fund. “They understand what the commitment means,” says Alexandra, “and they’re very willing to participate. I think they’re proud of us for wanting to do this.” Adds Bob: “This opens up a communication channel with your family on a different level.”

<< Previous