October 2026
WHERE GIVING MEETS COMMUNITY
Insights on local generosity, nonprofit work, and the needs shaping our region.
By Kara G. Seesholtz, Community Giving Foundation president and CEO
Over my many years with the Community Giving Foundation, some of my favorite days have been spent getting to know people who genuinely care about others. I’ve had the opportunity to listen to their stories, learn about their families, and understand what matters most to them.
Some of the conversations that stay with me the longest have been with individuals thinking about the future. Not just their own future, but what life might look like for their families, friends, and communities long after they’re gone. When I started at the Foundation 23 years ago, I knew very little about community foundations or the lasting impact of charitable giving. Today, it’s one of the things I admire most about the people we work with.
October 19-25 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week. When we hear the words estate planning, we often think about attorneys, wills, financial documents, and tax benefits. While those are important, I’ve come to appreciate estate planning in a much more personal way.
To me, it’s about people and their stories.
Someone who wants future generations to have the opportunities they had. A family remembering the kindness shown to a loved one and wanting that kindness to continue. Honoring a family member or dear friend whose life touched so many others.
I’ve seen how meaningful it can be when someone talks about their passions, experiences, and the people and places they care about. Those conversations aren’t just about dollars or tax advantages. They’re about the joy of giving—what has been important throughout someone’s life and what they hope will continue.
Some people want to support a nonprofit organization important to their family. Others want to address a particular community need, such as education, healthcare, or food insecurity. And some simply want their generosity to remain in their community, helping meet needs in the years ahead.
At the Community Giving Foundation, we work alongside individuals, families, and their attorneys, financial planners, and other advisors to explore these possibilities. We bring our knowledge of the community, custom giving vehicles, and a commitment to honoring each donor’s wishes. Together, we develop charitable options that reflect what matters most to them while complementing their overall estate plan.
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing the wishes of someone I had the privilege of knowing years ago continue to be fulfilled today. I remember our conversations, what mattered to them, and how their generosity is still helping others. There’s something special about that, and it’s a responsibility our Foundation takes seriously.
Through charitable estate gifts, individuals and families can strengthen nonprofits, provide educational opportunities, and respond to community needs that may not even exist today. A decision made now can benefit someone’s life 10, 25, or even 100 years from now.
Of course, estate planning isn’t just about charitable giving. It’s also a way to care for the people you love, communicate your wishes, and make thoughtful decisions about what you’ve worked hard for throughout your lifetime. And it doesn’t have to be about great wealth. It can simply be about being intentional.
As you think about your own future, I hope you consider not only what you want to leave behind, but what brings you joy today. Who are the people you want to care for? What places have shaped your lives? What needs in your community have touched your heart?
These aren’t always easy conversations, but they’re important ones to have with our families, advisors, and the people we trust. And if charitable giving is part of those wishes, our community foundation is here to be part of that conversation, too.
I feel fortunate to have known so many people who have thought beyond their own lifetimes. Their generosity and thoughtfulness continue to inspire me, and our communities are better because of them.
