A former resident of Webster, South Dakota

My father died when I was only 15 years old and college seemed like an unattainable goal. With no family financial assistance available, I worked throughout high school and was able to begin college. It took scholarships, student loans and working long summer hours at a turkey processing plant in order for me to continue my college education. Through all this, I was able to graduate with high honors! My college education was a big factor in preparing me for a career in accounting and management.

A few years ago, my first required IRA distribution resulted in nearly one-third going to the federal and state government as income tax. With a short phone call to the South Dakota Community Foundation, they helped me understand how I could establish a scholarship fund for graduates from my hometown of Webster, and avoid a lot of taxes by using the IRA Charitable Rollover.

I have now established two scholarships for Webster area high school graduates. Most of the monies used to establish these funds came from charitable rollovers of my required IRA distributions. I've needed to do minimal work and feel I've accomplished my charitable goals completely.