Tom and Rose are lifelong Clevelanders whose focus on family and Catholic education have deep roots. Both attended Catholic grade school and high school. The tradition continues as their daughter in-law is currently pursuing her family nurse practitioner degree at Ursuline College, and their grandchildren have attended Catholic grade school. "Our experience with Catholic education has been so positive. It has provided a setting for an accepting way of life and an opportunity to grow in our Catholic faith."
Tom and Rose support the ministries of the Diocese of Cleveland by using a Qualified Charitable Distribution. This allows them to gift part of the minimum required distribution from their Individual Retirement Account to the Catholic Community Foundation.
"When my accountant first explained that I could make an annual gift from my IRA to a qualified 501 (c)3 and never pay a dollar of tax on that money, I couldn't believe it," says Tom. "I encourage others to consider this vehicle for charitable giving. As long as you are 70-1 /2 years old, you can contribute a percentage of your IRA and the money will go directly to the charity. For us it is as simple as a phone call."
The Corrigans are active givers in other ways as well. They volunteer at their parish, St. Ladislas in Westlake, as Eucharistic ministers and at their food bank. Tom also runs programs at Rosary Hall and The Lantern for people dealing with substance abuse. "Because of all the blessings we have received from God and the message of the gospel, we must share and take care of each other," says Rose.
Tom thinks of the parable of the talents: "One day I will stand in front of my maker, and he will ask, 'What did you do with everything I gave you?' We believe, especially in light of fewer priests and fewer people attending Mass, we are called to do more, to be greater supporters of the Church. Financial support is a necessary and viable way of supporting our Church."
To learn more about gifting through an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution, contact Moira Wopershall, mwopershall@catholiccommunity.org, 216-696-6525 x8070.