Ryleigh was the 2024 Angel scholarship winner. Read how she is making an impact after her first year at Arizona State University.

As a middle school student at Ss, Simon and Jude Cathedral School, Ryleigh Mangundayao always felt a sense of admiration at award ceremonies when older students received the Catholic Community Foundation’s Christian Service Award. What started as early inspiration blossomed into a significant moment for her last year, when she was honored with the Angel Scholarship for social work, peace, and justice studies.

This empowering scholarship opportunity for Catholic high school students was established 13 years ago by an anonymous benefactor of the Catholic Community Foundation. The donor had a keen interest in helping the underserved and underprivileged and hoped this scholarship would encourage young men and women to consider a life of service to others through social work.

Now a sophomore at Arizona State University, Ryleigh is pursuing a degree at the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions while also participating in Barrett Honors College. Her academic achievements and involvement in extracurricular activities demonstrate that she's truly embodying the values instilled in her throughout her years of Catholic education, and she’s just getting started!

For Dr. Mary Frances Maloney, Catholic education isn’t just a value—it’s a legacy. She remembers her father’s words vividly:

“I would give the shirt off my back to give my kids a Catholic education.”

Inspired by that devotion, Dr. Maloney knew she wanted to do something lasting, something that would ensure generations of children could access the same faith-filled education that shaped her life. But how? She reached out to the Catholic Community Foundation!

Enter the Catholic Community Foundation. When she discovered that the Foundation could create a custom scholarship endowment using her IRAs and help direct those funds to Catholic schools in Phoenix, New York, and beyond, it blew her mind!

With the help of the Catholic Community Foundation, Dr. Maloney developed a plan that honors her wishes and maximizes the impact of her giving. Today, she’s using her Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) to grow the scholarship fund, ensuring that her trust will continue to support it in the future.

Take a minute to explore how we can bring your vision to life.

People living paycheck to paycheck are aware that financial danger is looming. They move forward each day, tamping down the thoughts of “what if?” In 2022, 58-year-old Daniel* lost his job and found himself homeless, sleeping on different friends’ couches or in his car. Daniel’s “what if” became a reality.

Now, the combination of being homeless added to the complexity of Daniel’s long history of high blood pressure; he was no longer able to afford his blood pressure medication.

In September 2022, Daniel fell into the loving hands of Mission of Mercy Arizona (MOM), which assists people with difficulty accessing medical care. MOM says their product is love, and their vehicle is medicine.

Dr. Carie Barlow, a volunteer physician at a MOM clinic, said Daniel’s first blood pressure reading was 201/123, which is considered a medical crisis that can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or other life-threatening health problems. Dr. Barlow said they immediately started Daniel on antihypertensive drugs that controlled his blood pressure. Through the Target Blood Pressure Program, a collaborative effort with the American Heart Association, he received a free blood pressure monitor to help him track his condition.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Catholic Community Foundation, Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels brought smiles and strength to hundreds of children undergoing long-term medical treatment for life-threatening illnesses. By focusing not only on physical healing but also emotional and psychological well-being, the organization expanded its Comfort and Care Program with powerful results.

With the grant funds, Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels was able to purchase cutting-edge gaming equipment that transformed hospital rooms and treatment centers into joyful spaces of relief. The interactive gaming consoles and software provided an immersive escape from the harsh realities of cancer treatment and other life-threatening illnesses, offering kids a chance to simply be kids. For many, it meant a reprieve from the stress and fear of their daily medical routines, replacing it with laughter, connection, and a sense of normalcy.

Additionally, funds were allocated to enhance the organization’s sand tray therapy offerings. New interactive figurines were acquired to make play therapy more inclusive and accessible for children of all physical abilities. These carefully chosen materials helped foster independence, creativity, and emotional expression, ensuring that no child was left out of the healing experience.

When it comes to giving generously while staying strategic, a donor-advised fund is a powerful tool that makes it happen. At the Catholic Community Foundation, we’re excited to help you amplify your impact through this flexible, faith-driven approach to philanthropy, ensuring your gifts reflect your values and touch lives in meaningful ways.

Understanding the Donor-Advised Fund

A donor-advised fund is like a charitable savings account—you contribute assets, such as cash, stocks, or real estate, and then recommend grants to your favorite nonprofits over time. It’s a way to give thoughtfully, with the freedom to decide when and where your support goes while enjoying immediate tax benefits. We manage these funds at the Catholic Community Foundation carefully, ensuring your contributions grow and align with your vision for a stronger Church and community.

The beauty of a donor-advised fund lies in its simplicity and flexibility. Once you set it up with the Catholic Community Foundation, you can focus on the joy of giving without the administrative hassle, knowing your gifts are stewarded responsibly to support causes that matter most to you.

Tax Advantages That Enhance Your Giving

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