“We realized we hadn’t updated our estate plan since our granddaughter was born!”
For Jon and Donna Olson, leaving a gift through the Catholic Community Foundation began with a pilgrimage. While preparing for a trip to Poland, they realized their estate plan hadn’t been updated since the birth of their granddaughter. That deadline prompted them to meet with a Catholic attorney, where conversations about their will naturally turned to discussions about legacy.
“We had been thinking about it for a long time,” Donna explains. “Life just got busy, and we never acted on it. But through this process, we realized it was the right moment to decide how we wanted our blessings to continue after we’re gone.”
For the Olsons, faith was at the center of their decision.
“As a married couple, our goal is to get each other to Heaven,” Jon says. “When we asked ourselves which organization impacted our faith journey most, the answer was easy: St. Timothy’s Catholic Church. We weren’t even attending church regularly when we first walked through their doors, but it was there that our faith came alive again.”
They also wanted a trustworthy partner to carry out their intentions, so they chose the Catholic Community Foundation.
“We didn’t want to place that burden on our daughter or worry about whether an organization would still be around in the future,” Donna reflects. “The Foundation has a 40-year history, a solid reputation, and a mission rooted in the Church. We know they’ll take care of our legacy.”
Over the years, Jon and Donna have witnessed the challenges parishes and schools face with finances. Having served on parish, diocesan, and school finance committees, Jon recognizes how important endowments are to ensuring stability.
“It would be wonderful if we had enough resources to make Catholic education free,” he says. “Endowments help move us closer to that reality.”
For the Olsons, giving is not just about today but the future. “We’ve been blessed, and we’ve tried to share that with those in need,” Jon says. “But those needs won’t disappear when we’re gone. It’s comforting to know we can continue helping into the future.”
Their introduction to the Foundation came through the Giving Circle, a program that showed them firsthand how funds are managed and how needs are met across the community.
“We loved it,” Donna recalls. “It showed us that philanthropy isn’t only for the wealthy—it’s about stewardship, about using what God has given you for others.”
Looking back, they both agree the decision feels right.
“Honestly, it felt like a calling,” Donna shares. “God gives us everything, and our role is to use those gifts wisely and compassionately. Leaving a legacy through the Catholic Community Foundation gives us peace of mind, knowing the mission of the Church will continue long after we’re gone.”
Like the Olsons saw their trip to Poland as an opportunity to revise their estate plan, find your reason to meet with the Catholic Community Foundation, too. Meet with the experts to discuss your important documents and ensure your charitable wishes are handled with your Catholic faith in mind.
Contact the Catholic Community Foundation today to discuss important documents and ensure your charitable wishes are handled with your faith in mind, so your Catholic legacy endures for future generations. 480-651-8803.