“Philanthropy is not just for the present — it’s for the future, too,” says Jane Kulbersh, who together with her husband, Dr. David Kulbersh, are members of the Legacy Society at Central Carolina Community Foundation (CCCF).

The Legacy Society at CCCF honors those who have made a lasting commitment to our community by including charitable gifts to the Foundation in their estates. While members of the Legacy Society come from different backgrounds, they are united by their interest for the community’s future both during their lifetime and beyond.

Longtime supporters and residents of the Columbia area, Dr. and Mrs. Kulbersh, have devoted much of their lives to giving back and serving their community. As a former member of the Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Kulbersh fell in love with the mission of CCCF, saying: “They really teach people how to be philanthropists.”

For more than 35 years, the Community Foundation has served as the local center for philanthropy in the Midlands, connecting charitable individuals with areas of need in the community. Our mission of promoting, facilitating and increasing philanthropy to create a sustainable impact within our community through responsible giving could not be realized without the members of our Legacy Society.

The Community Foundation works to make philanthropy easy for everyone from start to finish. “The paperwork is simple to establish a fund, and it will ensure your gift fulfills your expectations,” says Michelle Hardy, CCCF Vice President, Advancement. “We are happy to work with your professional advisor to assist in any way.” The Foundation also carries out an extensive due diligence process in our grantmaking once the fund has been established.

The ease of giving and the community’s trust in CCCF throughout the years were the main reasons the Kulbershes chose CCCF for their charitable giving, including their planned giving. “When you give a legacy gift, you know you won’t be here, but you can trust it will be done exactly how you want it to be,” says Mrs. Kulbersh. “You don’t have to worry it won’t be carried out properly, whether you’re on this earth or not.”

When asked why someone would leave a legacy gift, Michelle Hardy says, “A gift through your estate allows you to direct your resources to help others after you are gone. Most donors appreciate the comfort they feel from knowing that they will provide ongoing support to charitable organizations important to them.”

To anyone considering a planned gift, Dr. Kulbersh says, “if you feel passionate about giving now, eventually you’re going to be gone — but with a legacy gift, you can provide into perpetuity long after you’re gone.”

If you are interested in continuing a legacy of giving by establishing a Legacy Fund at the Community Foundation, Michelle Hardy, Vice President, Advancement, at [email protected] or 803-254-5601 x331.