Beverly Judge
Judge gave gifts to establish a deferred charitable gift annuity and a donor advised fund, both of which are administered by the Foundation. Proceeds from her gifts will benefit McPherson College in Kansas, Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., and the Peacemaking Programs of the Church of the Brethren, based in Elgin, Ill..
Both gifts provided tax benefits to Judge, whose Manhattan apartment had appreciated significantly during her ownership. Her deferred charitable gift annuity eventually will provide quarterly payouts to Judge throughout her lifetime, and the remainder of her annuity will go to charity. A portion of the payouts to her are tax–free.
Through her donor advised fund, Judge can ask the Foundation to make charitable grants on her behalf. The Foundation's role is to invest the funds, make disbursements, and provide record keeping and reporting services.
"I enjoy the act of giving," Judge said, "and through the donor advised fund, I can see the benefits during my lifetime."
"It's not surprising that donor advised funds have become so popular," she said. "You don't have to be wealthy to set one up, but by actively participating in the giving process, you can feel almost like a small–scale Warren Buffet or Bill Gates. It is a lot of fun, and it's gratifying to be able to make a positive difference in people's lives."
"With the donor advised fund I can look around for new ministries to fund, and even discover ministries that I didn't know about when the original gift was established," she added. "Part of my criteria is to support ministries that are dealing with systemic change," she said, "and are working to correct the conditions that keep people poor or marginalized."
As a youngster growing up in Iowa, Judge was the only member of her family who was involved with the church. She attended the Church of the Brethren, which is one of three historic peace churches, along with the Quakers and the Mennonites. In her youth, she wanted to be a pastor. She studied religion and philosophy in college and went on to receive a Master of Arts in religion jointly from Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary and Northwestern University.
"I chose a United Methodist Seminary because it had the best academic options for me," she said. "I love the study of religion and even now attend the annual pastors? school at Stetson University. I love to hear the lectures."
In 1973, Judge went to work for the General Board of Global Ministries in New York City, where she spent five years as executive for the National Division Advance Special program and five years as executive in charge of the Office of Field Interpretation.
"It was my experience with the Advance programs that really set a foundation for my stewardship," she said. "I have come to understand that I have been entrusted with certain resources, but I also understand they are not really mine. Everything comes from God." Judge describes herself as the recipient of a "windfall."
"I have more than I need," she said. "By working with the Foundation, I am able to exercise my commitment to giving."
During her career, Judge has worked closely with the Commission on Stewardship of the National Council of Churches, the American Council on Gift Annuities, United Methodist Communications and the National Interfaith Cable Coalition, Inc. (now known as Odyssey Networks). In addition to the gifts she has established with the Foundation, she has made philanthropy part of her estate plan.
Judge is a member of Coronado Community United Methodist Church in New Smyrna Beach where she serves on the Staff–Parish Relations Committee, sings in the Chancel Choir and serves as volunteer Communications Coordinator.
