Key Largo resident Jill Kuehnert thought on and off about her will, more specifically the idea of a planned gift to a near-and-dear cause.
She put the idea of a legacy gift in the same category as going for a tattoo.
“I’m not opposed to doing it but have been waiting for a really compelling concept, window of opportunity and trusted artist to get me to go through with it,” said Kuehnert, the president of the Upper Keys Business & Professional Women.
Then came the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys’ new legacy giving challenge that aims to aid the financial sustainability of Monroe County nonprofits today and well into the future. And thanks to a gift from Key West resident Jean Stearns, those who provide a gift of at least $25,000 — or as much as $1 million from their estate to their cause through the Community Foundation — will be able to choose a nonprofit to receive anywhere from a $2,500 to $10,000 check today.
Kuehnert said her tattoo moment finally came, having learned about the new challenge. Over the past two years, Kuehnert said she familiarized herself with, and came to appreciate, the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys’ mission to make the Florida Keys a better place. She participated in the foundation’s annual Leadership Success Academy in 2022. She also worked along with the Community Foundation to establish an endowment fund for the Upper Keys Business & Professional Women. Recently, the BPW presented scholarships to four women from the community totaling $4,305.65.
“I’ve been impressed with CFFK’s creativity in using funds bequeathed to them to inspire more giving and growth in the community,” said Kuehnert, who became the first Upper Keys resident to make a gift through the challenge to support the BPW’s scholarship fund. Dollars for the program are designed to help local women gain a professional edge through education and training.
Elizabeth Brown, vice president of philanthropy for the Community Foundation, said she worked with Kuehnert on the scholarship fund. Brown said Kuehnert was quick to say “yes” to establishing a gift.
“While she was first on in the Upper Keys to say ‘yes,’ I’m happy to say she’s not the only one who’s jumped on,” Brown said. “It’s easy and an amazing way for people to contribute to things they’re spending so much time on now. It’s a great opportunity to make sure the place they care so much about has resources for the future.
“The Upper Keys BPW is an amazing organization making an impact in the community,” Brown continued. “I think they are doing incredible work for professional women in the community, They’re thinking forward to build a legacy.”
Kuehnert said she’s proud to have made the decision now.
“I know that this community and place which has come to mean so much to me will benefit from my being here, long after I’m gone,” she said.
More information about the legacy giving challenge is at cffk.org/legacychallenge. Those interested in potentially establishing a scholarship or a fund can email Brown at elizabeth@cffk.org.
