Jeff and Cathy Gendreau are the kind of people who don’t wait for life to happen — they plan for it. They credit strategic thinking and financial discipline for allowing them both to retire in their late 50s. After taking a class to help discern what God is calling them to do in retirement, the Gendreaus have used the gift of time to deepen their faith and explore what it truly means to be the hands and feet of Christ.
It’s been a sacred journey that has taken Jeff and Cathy to new and interesting places. They enrolled in the Catechetical Institute at The Saint Paul Seminary to learn more about their faith. Jeff went on his debut mission trip in support of his parish’s youth group. And they both became regular volunteers at a food shelf in White Bear Lake.
“We have gotten a lot of joy from these things,” says
Showing the Way and Sharing the Journey
When Jeff retired, the Gendreaus opened a donor advised fund (DAF) at CCF. It was another step in their journey of stewarding their resources strategically and intentionally. “I was an owner in a CPA firm, and I had the good fortune to sell my partnership interest upon my retirement,” explains Jeff. “Our financial advisor recommended a DAF for tax planning, but we wanted to set up our DAF in a way that we could involve our family and create a lasting impact.”
The Gendreaus did their research before choosing CCF, and they take comfort in the knowledge that CCF investment activity aligns with Catholic teaching. Jeff and Cathy also appreciated CCF’s guidance as they worked to involve their two adult children in their giving. “Cathy and I had great role models as parents,” says Jeff. “We have always wanted to set the same type of example for our kids.”
Partnering with CCF, the Gendreaus named their children as successor advisors to their fund. “We think about our estate in three pieces — our two children and the DAF,” Jeff explains. “Upon our passing, a portion of our estate will provide additional funding for the DAF, and our children will continue to advise the DAF on charitable distributions long after we’re gone.”
True to form, the Gendreaus have a plan to help their children prepare for this responsibility. “Starting this year, we’ll set aside funds and invite them each to recommend an organization where they’d like the money to go,” says Cathy. “We’ll ask them to explain their choices, and as long as their recommendations pass CCF’s screening, it’s great — and gives them the opportunity to support causes that are important in their lives.”
“CCF has been really good with helping us think through our goals,” Jeff adds.
Purposeful in Every Gift
The Gendreaus’ faith shapes much of their giving, and they are as intentional with their time as they are with their treasure. Their generosity is directed to local missions and ministries that resonate most with their faith and priorities. Cathy is president of the board of directors at Guiding Star Wakota, a pregnancy support organization, and both Jeff and Cathy serve on the regional board for SPO (Saint Paul’s Outreach), a Minnesota-based Catholic ministry initiative active on college campuses across the nation. In addition to volunteering regularly at the White Bear Lake food shelf, where Jeff serves as a board member, they are very involved in parish life at their church, St. Mary of the Lake in White Bear Lake.
Uniquely Called to Make Their Difference
Jeff and Cathy grew up in North Dakota where they met as students at the University of North Dakota. They describe modest childhoods in faith-filled families and believe their lives have been blessed beyond measure. They also feel a new urgency with the passage of time.
“As you get older you realize you might not have much time,” Cathy says. “I’ve been busy working and raising kids, but now I have additional bandwidth and new opportunities to do the Lord’s work.”
Jeff nods in agreement. “I still have a lot of things I want to do to continue to grow in my faith life,” he says. “We’re all called to make a difference and we’re grateful that CCF helps us do so.”