Originally published in the Foundation’s newsletter “Prime Scene,” September 2007

Start to Finish, Giving is Easy and Satisfying

There are plenty of reasons why Edward H. Dodge, known as “Buzz” to his friends, is pleased with his decision to establish a charitable gift annuity with California Pacific Medical Center Foundation. For one, the annuity gives Buzz a new retirement income at a high guaranteed rate.

“I wanted to make a donation and a friend recommended CPMC,” says Mr. Dodge, a third-generation San Franciscan. “It’s my hospital, and it was a good choice.”

Mr. Dodge used appreciated stock to set up the annuity and is he happy that he received, he adds, “. . . a whole bunch of tax benefits,” specifically, capital gains tax relief. He selected an annuity because, as he says, “the quarterly payments are exactly what I need — they will last the rest of my life.” Moreover, part of Mr. Dodge’s new income is tax-free.

“Start to finish, this was very easy,” recalls Mr. Dodge, speaking of the actual donation process. “The people at the hospital are supportive, and the stock was transferred with no trouble at all, no problems.”

The No. 1 reason, however, that Mr. Dodge is pleased with his giving decision is that he believes it would make his late wife Marge very happy.

He designated his donation for the Forbes Norris MDA/ALS Research Center at CPMC, where Marge volunteered for several years in the late 1980s. In those days, it was known as the ALS Clinic at Pacific Presbyterian Hospital.

And, while the name may have changed, many other things have not. After making his gift, Mr. Dodge had the opportunity to visit the research center. There, he not only ran into people he knew from Marge’s days as a volunteer, he also found an easel he had constructed for presentations, as well as several of his door blocks, still in use.

“I was completely at home (at the center). I feel I made a good donation. That would make Marge happy, too,” says the 86-year-old, with satisfaction. “I think I will even go back and volunteer — it’ll keep me out of mischief.”