Leading Through Legacy: CFT's Live Oak Society

July 25, 2019

Everyone can leave a legacy. What will yours be?

In the past 66 years, hundreds of forward-thinking individuals, couples and families have partnered with CFT to make a commitment to further their passions and better our community beyond their lifetimes. These generous donors have named Communities Foundation of Texas as the beneficiary of a planned or deferred gift through their wills or estate plans and are recognized as part of CFT’s legacy society, the Live Oak Society. Planned gifts to any fund at CFT qualify for Live Oak Society membership and demonstrate the highest level of trust in Communities Foundation of Texas.

JEFF & ALISON BALCOMBE

“We have been CFT fund holders for over a decade and have seen firsthand the resources that CFT provides. CFT actively evaluates charitable organizations, provides tools for fund holders to better understand charitable giving and provides many opportunities for involvement beyond giving. We chose to join CFT’s Live Oak Society and leave a legacy with CFT to set an example for our children and future generations. CFT helped us think through our options in allocating and administering our legacy fund, laying the foundation for our family’s financial stewardship and continued involvement in giving back.”

KERN AND MARNIE WILDENTHAL

“Joining CFT’s Live Oak Society and establishing a ‘Family Fund’ as a means to provide ongoing support to a variety of important nonprofit organizations were easy decisions for us. In addition to relieving us of worrying about how to invest and preserve our philanthropic funds for our old age and beyond, a donor-advised fund at CFT that will last for decades to come will enable our children and grandchildren to learn and experience the joys of giving to deserving causes.”

Contact our team of CFT experts to join CFT's Live Oak Society or start a conversation and explore planned giving opportunities for you and your family.

John Bergner celebrated as CFT’s 2022 Vester Hughes Award Recipient

John was honored on May 10 at CFT’s annual Professional Seminar in partnership with Southern Methodist University and at a private reception on May 9.

Communities Foundation of Texas celebrated John Bergner of Winsted PC as CFT’s 2022 Vester Hughes Award recipient on Monday, May 9.

Helping Weather the Storm

CFT fund holders support CFT's North Texas Winter Weather Crisis Relief Fund

Margaret Elizabeth and Michael McKissack established the McKissack Family Fund in December 2020. They had been giving to nonprofits directly and through CFT’s North Texas Giving Day for quite some time, and their new charitable fund at CFT allows them to streamline their giving and lean on CFT’s staff expertise when needed.

North Texas Giving Day Proclamation

On September 23, 2021, donations can be made from 6 a.m. to midnight to more than 3,200 certified local nonprofits in the 20 county region around DFW listed on www.NorthTexasGivingDay.org; And, from September 1-22, early donations can be made on the website in advance of Giving Day; I would like to thank CFT for powering this incredible day, and I encourage all Dallas residents to take part in this special event and support our local nonprofits by giving to them on North Texas Giving Day.

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