Julie and Tom Hurley were always inclined to be generous, but for many years, philanthropy was not something they thought about much. They were busy raising three daughters, and after years working in public accounting, they’d both given up corporate jobs with steady incomes to pursue their own businesses.
“We gave at church,” recalls Julie, “and we did small things, but nothing big.”
“We weren’t really capable of anything big,” adds Tom.
Over time, things changed. Their property management business flourished, and in 2012 Julie joined the board of directors at CCF. “When I got involved with CCF, it opened our eyes to all the things that can be done — the different opportunities for giving and all the organizations with overwhelming needs,” Julie explains. “I would come home with stories, and we talked about it a lot.”
An Unrestricted Fund Offers Assurance Amidst Uncertainty
Talking led to action. Now Julie and Tom have included CCF’s Salt & Light Fund in their estate plan. Formerly known as the Legacy Fund, the Salt & Light Fund helps support a variety of Catholic ministries, including Catholic education. As an unrestricted fund, grants are directed by CCF’s board of directors, giving them the flexibility to address urgent and unmet needs in the community as they arise.
“It appeals to me because I cannot anticipate the future needs of our local Church,” says Julie. “The people who will know will be the people serving on the board at the time, along with CCF’s president and staff. They’ll be the ones on the front lines.”
Julie points to the recent pandemic as an example for why unrestricted funds are necessary. “Before COVID, no one would’ve thought to fund a response for something like that,” she observes. “CCF may not be able to predict the future, but with the Salt & Light Fund, they’ll be able to deal with situations that come up.”
Trusting the Future to Faithful Stewards
Julie admits it took a while to build the trust she has in CCF. She recalls her initial reaction when she and Tom opened their first donor advised fund. “I asked how it works and when they said the money in your fund isn’t your money anymore, I was a little taken aback,” says Julie. “But then you learn that you initiate the grants. When we made distributions out of the fund, it was just so easy and worked so beautifully.”
Confidence in CCF also grew during Julie’s ten years as a board member working with the Foundation’s leaders and staff. “They feel so strongly about the mission,” says Julie. “It’s like a sacred trust with them.”
The Hurleys now have several funds at CCF, including an endowment that will benefit the Salt & Light Fund 20 years after their death. “We made a provision in our estate to give a certain percentage to CCF in a fund,” explains Tom. “A portion of the fund will be disbursed every year to organizations chosen by our daughters, as a way to let them experience the gift that is philanthropy. At the end of 20 years, the endowment will go into the Salt & Light Fund.”
A Legacy of Generosity
Tom reflects on a conversation with a friend years ago that informs their philosophy today. “What we have on this earth is not really ours,” says Tom, “God expects us to be good stewards of His gifts.”
The Hurleys know they’ll never see the impact of their legacy gift, but they’re not worried. They have full confidence that CCF will use the Salt & Light Fund to provide help where it’s needed most, now and for future generations.
“If you trust and surrender,” says Julie, “it always works out.”