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DONOR ADVISED FUNDS ALLOW CHARITABLE

GIVING TO CAUSES CLOSE TO YOUR HEART—

NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE

or Larry Halpin, charitable giving through his donor advised the cost of the refurbishment, and it has since been restored to its
fund has been a learning process, and he is thoroughly enjoying original beauty.
Fthe education. Larry has had three bouts of cancer and went back to the
His mother, Margaret (Peg) Halpin, met and married Henry University of Iowa for treatment. While receiving care at the hospital,
Haegg, Jr. five years after the death of Larry’s father. When Henry he stayed at Hope Lodge, an adult version of Ronald McDonald
passed away a few years ago, he introduced his five stepchildren house. Hope Lodge has been crucial to his recovery and Larry loves
to charitable giving by leaving them donor advised funds at the that he is able to give back in a significant way to them through his
Community Foundation so they would be able to designate how donor advised fund.
they wanted to support causes they care about that are in need of Larry credits the Community Foundation for educating him
assistance. on local causes that need assistance. Without the Community
“It’s through Henry’s thoughtfulness that all of us find ourselves Foundation’s guidance, he wouldn’t be able to research the enormous
in this position,” said Larry. amount of need on his own. “The Community Foundation has
While Larry has lived in our community since 1993, he still has been more than helpful. I wouldn’t know what to do with the funds
strong ties and affection for his if I didn’t have the Foundation to provide me with the
hometown of Cedar Rapids, background to make informed decisions,” he said.
Iowa. He has learned that the Like other donor advised fund holders, Larry supports
beauty of a donor advised fund locally as well outside of Collier County. During the
is that donations can be made Community Foundation’s last fiscal year, 75% of grants
in all the communities he cares stayed in Collier County. Larry has given to over 25 local
about, including where he grew charities and causes including the Collier Comes Together
up. Fund for Hurricane Irma, Care for Collier for Red Tide
Close to the Halpin family’s Relief, the FGCU tennis team, and PAWS Assistance
heart is the restoration of Dogs.
a window at the Historical Because his mom was a musician with a master’s
Society in Cedar Rapids. The degree from the University of Wisconsin and encouraged
offices, which are in a former her children to play an instrument, Larry, and his other
mortuary facility, contained a siblings support the Naples Music Club, now known
window designed by artist Grant as the Music Foundation of Greater Naples. Henry
Wood that was in desperate started a scholarship through the Naples Music Club, an
need of refurbishing. The five organization Peg was instrumental in founding, that Larry
stepchildren decided to finance and his siblings continue to support.
Larry encourages his friends and family to join in on
his charitable ventures. “It’s extraordinarily fun to give even
if you don’t always know the results or how the funds are
used,” he said. Larry is glad his giving isn’t limited to one
area because his interests expand as he learns more about
the many needs. “At first, one realizes that they have funds
to give. But then the real charge kicks in when you realize that in
giving, you are helping others even if a little bit,” he explained.

If you are interested in opening a donor advised fund to contribute to
all of the causes you support, contact Lindsey Touchette, Vice President of
Development at ltouchette@cfcollier.org or 239.649.5000.

66 Life in Naples | January 2019