Kay Aldridge, whose late husband Eddie owned and operated Aldridge Garden Shop and founded Aldridge Gardens, is dedicated to continuing Eddie’s legacy of giving. “He was such a charitable person. He was always ready to give to anybody,” she said. Eddie and Kay conveyed Aldridge Gardens to the city of Hoover to be used as a public garden in perpetuity.
Kay does much of her giving through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, which provides generous donors an easy way to increase the impact of their philanthropy and make charitable giving as simple as possible. DAFs allow donors to target their contributions to specific causes and organizations they care the most about. Each step along the way, donors can also draw on the advice and support of the Community Foundation staff, with their deep knowledge of critical needs in our area.
The Red Cross and the Salvation Army were two of Eddie’s favorite organizations. UAB School of Nursing and Hand In Paw are two of Kay’s favorite causes. The School of Nursing is “a fantastic organization,” she said. “I feel so good about the things they do, and they’re so thankful. Almost weekly I get a letter from some student. The director sends me thank-you letters. It makes me feel so good.”
Hand in Paw, which offers innovative, animal-assisted therapy, is “my number one and a great organization,” Kay said. “It helps so many people. I’ve never been in the hospital very long and had the need for a pet, but if I were there and a pet showed up I’d be happy.”
It’s gratifying to support the Community Foundation, Kay said. “It makes you feel so wonderful that you’ve done something for someone else,” she said. “The money’s going to a good use and they need it, and we just always wanted to do something for someone else.”
DAFs are a smart choice for donors. They’re easy to open with a simple, one-page agreement. The minimum amount to start a DAF is only $15,000. Donors receive immediate tax deductions when they contribute to their funds. The Community Foundation handles all the paperwork and administration, so donors can concentrate on their philanthropy. DAFs also give contributors the option of remaining anonymous if they prefer.
Most of all, donors enjoy being able to direct how and when their giving is deployed. “I like the flexibility that you can give to wherever you want,” said Kay, who said the staff have been very helpful in the process. “The people at the Foundation are always so nice. They’re always ready to help you with anything.”
Founded in 1959, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham is a public charity that pools financial contributions from individuals, families and businesses to support nonprofits and improve the quality of life in Blount, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby and Walker counties. The organization seeks to create economic opportunity, overcome poverty, drive regional cooperation, nurture thriving communities, and foster equity and inclusion.
- To learn more about starting a Donor Advised Fund (DAF), contact Liz Edwards at 205-327-3808 or ledwards@cfbham.org.
- For more about the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, call 205-327-3800 or go to cfbham.org.
