Stories

Welcome to our site’s Stories section, where you’ll find glimpses into how seemingly ordinary people have helped do extraordinary things for Christ through the stewardship of Texas Presbyterian Foundation.

Alexander and Anna Shadan Memorial Scholarship Fund
Alex and Anna Shadan were both research chemists in endocrinology in 1937 when the German troops attacked the Soviet Union and their worlds were turned upside down. Their strong faith helped them endure the Nazi occupation, near starvation and forced labor. (Click here for full story)

Spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ far into the future
Back in 2004 an elderly couple, who were life-long Presbyterians living in Dallas, decided to take some steps to simplify their lives and ultimately their estates. (Click here for full story)

Givers Who Keep on Giving
A couple – both in their eighties – from First Presbyterian Church Georgetown received information from a national charity about Gift Annuities and wondered if there was a similar, Presbyterian-affiliated service. After contacting their pastor about the issue, he put them in touch with TPF. Now in their nineties, the couple continues to fund Gift Annuities for recipients including Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Service and their own church. Their generosity over the years stands as both a testament to their giving spirits and their satisfaction with the Gift Annuity program.

A Wise Way to Honor One’s Offspring
A San Antonio lady has a son practicing as a doctor in a Presbyterian-related clinic in West Texas. To help support the clinic, she established a sizeable Charitable Remainder Trust. The trust provides her with income now, while the remainder will go to the clinic upon her passing. She funded the trust with a highly appreciated asset and bypassed the capital gains tax she would have paid if she sold that asset outright. By designating the clinic as the beneficiary, this lady shows her support for her son’s life’s work without burdening him with complicated and costly tax issues.

A Little Less Now Equals a Larger Gift Later
A lady living at the Grace Presbyterian Village wanted to give back to the home she dearly loves. To that end, she has entered into several Charitable Gift Annuities. Because her need for additional income is relatively low, she takes a lower amount from the annuity than she is entitled to, and thus gets a higher income tax deduction since more will ultimately go to the Village.

Anonymous Blessings
Two couples – one in Austin and one in Houston – have Donor Advised Funds at TPF with a passage of scripture listed as the name on the account. Each couple can then make distributions with the scripture listed as the donor. The recipients never know the real donors behind the gifts but are, of course, blessed nonetheless.

Caring for the Flock in Retirement
A retired pastor and his wife from Arkansas have entered into three Charitable Gift Annuities to benefit various churches and agencies. Gift Annuities are a popular product for retired pastors. They receive all the benefits that come with the annuity – high, guaranteed income and a charitable tax deduction – along with the ability to support the ministries they love. Perhaps that’s why retired clergy make up the largest single group of Gift Annuity clients.

Give as You Go
A gentleman in Tulsa has made it a goal to put $1 million into a fund for student scholarships at the University of Tulsa. With much of his money tied up in Treasury Notes, he simply waits for them to mature and then enters into another Charitable gift Annuity. He has been told that Gift Annuities are not “cheaper by the dozen,” but he just keeps on giving and giving.