A vintage toy tractor was one of the many antique toys donated by the Nickel family through their Everence donor advised fund.
A collection of toys passed down generations inspired new generosity for Dave Nickel and his siblings. They had inherited toys from their grandfather, whom they described as a serious toy collector.
Nickel, a pastor at First Mennonite Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, said growing up he was allowed to look at the toys, but never to play with them.
“I personally had very little intention of having a large collection of toys in my basement so that my kids and grandkids could stare at them,” he said.
With the help of Everence Financial®, the family looked at its options and decided to gift the toys to a donor advised fund. The siblings donated the toys to Everence and Everence Stewardship Consultant Lyle Miller worked with the family to identify an auctioneer and set up an online auction.
“It really doesn't matter what the asset is,” Miller said. “There's a very good likelihood that we can translate that asset into the kind of money that can benefit the organization.”
Whether it’s farmland, appreciated assets or unique assets – such as a toy collection, there’s often an opportunity to find a way to connect generous individuals with organizations they want to help.
After their initial work establishing the donor advised fund, the Nickel family continues to work together to plan for future giving.
“This is how we're finally playing with these toys,” Nickel said. “And I think even more than like a legacy… it's healing.”
Donor advised funds are a versatile, convenient and potentially tax-efficient way of giving, with the flexibility for donors to distribute their gifts as they see fit.
Everence can help you establish a donor advised fund or find other opportunities to grow your impact.
