Jean R. Kelley Fund
Jean Kelley endowed a donor advised fund at The Community Foundation as a permanent way to give back to the community, and because of its flexibility which enables her to stay involved with the Fund during her life.
Say the words "architecture" or "historical preservation" to Jean Kelley and you're likely to see a smile tiptoe across her face.
The Guilford resident and Foundation donor was trained in those subjects – receiving her master's degree in Historic Preservation at the Columbia School of Architecture in 1989. Jean has been dedicated to the preservation of Greater New Haven's past by serving on a variety of local boards and committees as well as serving on the Historic Preservation Council of the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.
But, Jean will also tell you that her focus these days is on the future of her community. Particularly on its youth. "I want to make sure they have great opportunities and resources to become productive citizens," explains Kelley, who was at one time the president of the Board of Leila Day Nursery Inc., Connecticut's oldest continuing child care center located in New Haven.
Kelley has supported Leila Day among many other organizations through her donor advised fund at The Community Foundation. She chose to endow the fund over 10 years ago as a permanent way to give back to the community and because of its flexibility – enabling her to stay involved with the Fund during her life.
"I like the concept of being able to make choices," she says. "The ability to change your mind to see what's most compelling at the time."
If you're like Jean and many others who want to take an active role in their charitable giving, contact Dotty Weston-Murphy at 203-777-7081 for details on how to create a donor advised fund.
