Title:It Doesn’t Take Long To Make a Lasting Impression

Cathryn Girard was at Georgetown for only one semester. But that semester changed her life. Now she gives back by establishing a charitable gift annuity to benefit Georgetown.

Girard didn’t realize that transferring into the theology class taught by Paul Cioffi, S.J., during her freshman year would change her life.

“I can count on one hand the experiences that made me who I am as an adult, and one of those is my time at Georgetown with Father Cioffi,” she recalls.

Father Cioffi’s class was notoriously difficult — it was not uncommon to transfer out of his class, but Girard was likely the only student to transfer in. She came to Georgetown hoping to learn from the Jesuits and increase her understanding of the Catholic faith. She was not disappointed.

Years later, Girard wanted to do something to honor Father Cioffi and the important role he played in her life. She didn’t think she could make a major contribution — until she learned about a charitable gift annuity.

“A charitable gift annuity seemed like the kind of gift I might be able to manage. My husband and I are not wealthy people, not the kind of people who make huge gifts, so I had to be very thoughtful about what I was doing,” she shares.

While employed with the Walt Disney Company, Girard had earned stock that she had added to over the years. She used the stock to establish a $25,000 gift annuity to honor Father Cioffi and benefit Georgetown’s Office of Mission & Ministry.

The charitable gift agreement allows Georgetown to pay Girard and her husband, Ed, an annual annuity payment for the remainder of their lives. She was also able to avoid paying capital gains tax on the Disney stock and enjoy a current tax deduction for the charitable portion of her gift.

“When you get to be this age, the world is filled with fears that you won’t have enough money to live out your retirement. If you are not someone who has unlimited financial resources, it is scary to think about giving a big chunk away. The additional annuity money helps put those fears in their proper place and allows you to have good feelings about making a gift,” she says.

Girard still practices law in Sarasota, Florida, and enjoys travel and time with her grandchildren. With the extra income generated by her annuity, she is looking forward to helping them with some of their educational expenses.  The ways she sees it, establishing a gift annuity is perfect because “it honors the past and creates a legacy for the future.”

For more information on establishing a scholarship or other panned giving questions, please call 800-347-8067, e-mail plannedgiving@georgetown.edu, or fill out our information request form.