Catherine Utter decided years ago that she wanted to support her local community through a planned gift to Burlington Community Foundation. Susan Allison made the same decision, but each woman planned her generosity in a different way.
“My aunt knew that she wanted to have an impact in her community though her estate,” said Catherine’s nephew, Duke Thornley. “She chose five charities to support in her will, ensuring that causes she cared about would benefit from her estate after she passed.”
Catherine had contacted the Foundation years earlier and started a donor advised fund to receive her generous gift after she passed. She established the Eva & Lloyd Utter Memorial Fund as a legacy tribute to her late parents. After her family was taken care of, five charities shared the proceeds remaining from her estate.
Catherine’s donation of $144,000 was received in 2026 and joined BCF’s endowed pool of funds. It will go toward supporting the community’s greatest needs, honouring her legacy and wishes.
For Susan Allison, a life insurance policy was how she decided to plan her legacy gift to BCF. She paid the annual premium and named BCF as the beneficiary.
“During a time in her career, my mother sold insurance policies where people would leave the money to charities,” said her son, Marcus White. “By deciding to establish a policy with Burlington Community Foundation as the sole beneficiary, she was able to make a meaningful legacy gift to support a community-based organization supporting charities locally and across Canada.”
When Susan passed, Marcus contacted the Foundation about his mother’s gift. He connected BCF to the insurer and Susan’s $2,000 planned donation to BCF was realized.
“Catherine and Susan are just two examples of the generosity that exists within our community each and every day,” said Foundation CEO Megan Tregunno. “Donor support through planned giving – whether that be through wills, life insurance policies, or other means – is such a meaningful way to give. It’s humbling to be entrusted with a planned gift that will continue to strengthen community after someone has passed.”
If you would like to learn more about making a planned gift to the Burlington Community Foundation, contact Megan Tregunno at MTregunno@BurlingtonFoundation.org or 905-639-0744 ext. 2.