Catherine Winger

Catherine Winger had always contributed to local charities but she wanted her engagement to go beyond simply writing a check. Her career had afforded her the opportunity to live a life of service, but she longed for a deeper connection to her community by engaging more purposefully in the nonprofits that interested her.

After retiring from a career in mental health services, Catherine Winger saw an opportunity to use her newfound free time to travel and to give back to her community. Her career had afforded her the opportunity to live a life of service, but she longed for a deeper connection to her community by engaging more purposefully in the nonprofits that interested her.

Catherine had always contributed to local charities but she wanted her engagement to go beyond simply writing a check. She donated mostly to human needs charities, with those serving the poor, homeless, refugees, ill and elderly always topping her list. In her search to find meaningful volunteer opportunities to supplement her monetary support for nonprofits, however, she decided to focus on the arts – an area of interest she hadn’t been able to explore fully during her busy working years.

She began volunteering for the Everson Museum and several other organizations focused on the arts. She enjoyed her time so much that it seemed natural to her to find a way to continue giving to these organizations beyond her lifetime. That opportunity came during a meeting with her estate planning attorney, Marion Hancock Fish. Marion suggested that she consider using us to develop a charitable plan that could be implemented when she passed away. Catherine took Marion’s advice.

“The Community Foundation staff listened to me, learned about my interests and goals, and helped me identify and document the charitable focus for the portion of my estate that is set aside for charity,” said Catherine Winger. “Though I hope it is many years before the plan is implemented, it feels good to have my estate plan complete.”

Part of Catherine’s will document references us and the plan that she created here. She has the flexibility to adjust that charitable plan over time, which can be done easily without disrupting her formal estate documents. This is a bonus for Catherine, but what most excites her is the opportunity to create a custom plan that will allow her to be remembered in perpetuity in the way that she wants to be.

“I feel so fortunate to be able to create a charitable fund that will provide for the community that I have called home for my entire life,” said Catherine. “I am proud that my hard work will reap benefits for the many amazing local arts organizations, hard-working animal charities, and deserving students seeking scholarships in Central New York.”

Related Stories

Woman standing in office
Stories March 19, 2024

Giving Seamlessly: Leyla Morgillo

Giving has always been intrinsic to Leyla Morgillo's being whether it be through her time ...

two children playing in a playhouse smiling to camera
Stories March 5, 2024

What's Happening

Giving Voice Winter 2024: What's Happening

Pamela Monaco sitting with her dog
Publications March 5, 2024

Planning Never Stops

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Giving Matters

Man and woman stand together
Stories February 12, 2024

Giving Perspectives: Susan & Michael Meath

The Community Foundation’s 5forCNY initiative, which invites community members to give back to the region ...

Young girl standing next to bookshelf
Stories December 11, 2023

Making Literacy Accessible

The United Way of CNY recently used a $100,000 grant from our Literacy Initiative Fund ...

Linda Verni Williams
Stories November 15, 2023

Centered Giving: Linda Verni Williams

When Linda Verni Williams first opened the Oneida Lakes Arts & Heritage Center (“the center”) ...

Debbie & Harvey Kliman
Publications October 1, 2023

Amplified Giving: Debbie & Harvey Kliman

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Donor Story

Family sits on porch of new home on Shuart Ave
Stories August 19, 2023

Impact Investing Profile: Home HeadQuarters

A $500,000 Program Related Investment (PRI) to Home HeadQuarters (HHQ) acted as a loan loss ...

Stories August 17, 2023

Impact Investing Profile: Cooperative Federal

A $250,000 secondary capital loan is helping Cooperative Federal expand lending in the Syracuse community.

Woman standing in office
Stories March 19, 2024

Giving Seamlessly: Leyla Morgillo

Giving has always been intrinsic to Leyla Morgillo's being whether it be through her time ...

two children playing in a playhouse smiling to camera
Stories March 5, 2024

What's Happening

Giving Voice Winter 2024: What's Happening

Pamela Monaco sitting with her dog
Publications March 5, 2024

Planning Never Stops

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Giving Matters

Man and woman stand together
Stories February 12, 2024

Giving Perspectives: Susan & Michael Meath

The Community Foundation’s 5forCNY initiative, which invites community members to give back to the region ...

Young girl standing next to bookshelf
Stories December 11, 2023

Making Literacy Accessible

The United Way of CNY recently used a $100,000 grant from our Literacy Initiative Fund ...

Linda Verni Williams
Stories November 15, 2023

Centered Giving: Linda Verni Williams

When Linda Verni Williams first opened the Oneida Lakes Arts & Heritage Center (“the center”) ...

Debbie & Harvey Kliman
Publications October 1, 2023

Amplified Giving: Debbie & Harvey Kliman

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Donor Story

Family sits on porch of new home on Shuart Ave
Stories August 19, 2023

Impact Investing Profile: Home HeadQuarters

A $500,000 Program Related Investment (PRI) to Home HeadQuarters (HHQ) acted as a loan loss ...

Stories August 17, 2023

Impact Investing Profile: Cooperative Federal

A $250,000 secondary capital loan is helping Cooperative Federal expand lending in the Syracuse community.

View More