Ann Diamond (cont'd)
After retiring from her job as Director of Dietetics at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, Ann hired estate lawyer Philip Paquette to help her prepare her will, through which she planned to leave a significant amount to charity. It was he who introduced Ann to the Community Foundation of Ottawa. In fact, Philip had participated on the Foundation’s Professional Advisors Circle for a number of years, and had referred other clients to take advantage of its services.
Fortunately for the Community Foundation, Ann became immediately smitten with the work being done by the organization. Not only did she find it an ideal vehicle through which she could give to the many causes and organizations she cared about, but she felt a strong personal connection to the Foundation itself after attending one of its annual Community Celebration events.
“I was so impressed by the people and the program they organized to celebrate this community that I immediately asked about becoming a volunteer,” said Ann Diamond “It turned out my timing was perfect and soon thereafter I was doing anything required to help the office run smoothly.”
For her part, Ann is most appreciative of the flexibility and community insight the Foundation offers her as a donor. “Since establishing my fund here I have learned so much more about the community than I could have discovered on my own. I particularly appreciate the personal service I receive here, and the fact that I’m able to make gifts to all my favourite charities by writing one single cheque each year. It helped me to go from making ad hoc charitable donations to a much more strategic approach to my giving.”
Among her many interests, Ann is particularly passionate about supporting children and the elderly, and in contributing to those who work to fight poverty and homelessness in Ottawa. An avid music aficionado, Ann also supports local music education programs, including those for underprivileged students.
Having established a donor-advised fund that will continue via a bequest after her lifetime, Ann is especially pleased with the fact that she can make these ongoing charitable gifts now, and that her fund will continue to support organizations and causes she cares so deeply about in perpetuity.
