Couple Partners With MCF to Advance Their Philanthropy
October 9, 2025
Martha Taylor and Gary Antoniewicz had owned a few shares of stock in a privately held company for many years. Most of the company stock was held by the families of former and current employees.
When they received notice that the company was entertaining a purchase offer, they had no idea it would set off such a whirlwind of decisions.
“While the sale of the company wasn’t completely unexpected, it still was a shock,” Gary explained. “Other suitors had come and gone, but this was an offer all the shareholders thought was too good to pass up.”
Fast Moving Deal Triggered the Need to Shift Plans
The transaction moved quickly — just six weeks from letter to sale. That speed left little time for preparation. “We suddenly had to figure out how to minimize what could be a big tax bill and revise our financial plans,” Gary said.
The couple saw the potential for this sale to expand their philanthropy. Their accountant advised an immediate charitable gift to help offset the sale’s tax impact and suggested an optimal amount.
Immediately after the sale, the couple turned to Madison Community Foundation. As fundholders, they already had a strong connection, and Martha served on MCF’s Board of Governors. They knew MCF could provide both giving strategies and local insight.
“We needed time to decide which organizations those gifts would go to and wanted flexibility in the timing – not just in this year,” Martha said. “From working with scores of philanthropists during my development career at the University of Wisconsin Foundation,” she continued, “I know tax deductions are not the reason people give, but they do help determine timing and the amount of the gift in any given year.”
Working With the Community Foundation Provided Time and Insight
“How do you decide where the money would do the most good?” Martha asked. “MCF knows this community and the organizations that have real impact. They also understand philanthropy, so they can help us think through how we might make larger gifts alongside our regular giving.”
Working with MCF allowed Gary and Martha to make their gift right away, capturing tax benefits, while giving them the breathing room to develop a thoughtful plan.
“MCF offered many different giving vehicles,” Martha said. “We could add to our existing fund, create a new donor advised fund or open a maximum giving fund. Each option lets us give now and decide later how to distribute those funds.”
“One of the reasons MCF is great for donors,” Gary said, “is that if you have a good idea of your philanthropic priorities, you can determine what organizations to give to, how much, and when in response to the challenges facing them and your objectives.”
Martha added, “MCF’s Community Impact Fund is also great for donors who don’t have focused priorities or who aren’t familiar with specific organizations but want their gifts to help the community as a whole.”
Martha and Gary have different priorities for their giving. “It’s important to have equality of giving in a marriage,” Martha explained. “In many cases this becomes an ‘our, her and his’ approach. Some gifts we make together, some support my interests, and some support his.”
Martha’s experience informs their giving. “Over the years, research has shown the effectiveness of focusing giving into a few meaningful areas, or what I call passions, rather than scattering gifts everywhere. Many find that limiting major giving to three core areas results in greater impact and meaning. For us our top two are church and university.”
Advice for Others Facing a Sudden Financial Gain
Martha and Gary offer this advice to others facing unexpected income: slow down. “See your advisors first and don’t make rash decisions,” Gary said. “You can give to Madison Community Foundation now and take your time to decide how best to use that gift.”
Martha added, “We were lucky to know about MCF’s services. Others might not realize how helpful working with MCF can be, which is why we were willing to share our story.”
Gary added, “Philanthropy takes work and thought to do it well. And we each have somewhat different approaches and focus. Working with MCF gives us the time and guidance to develop a plan that reflects our goals.”
Let Us Help You Create Lasting Community Benefit
If you find yourself with an unexpected financial gain — a business sale, inheritance or other opportunity — MCF can help you turn that moment into lasting community benefit while maximizing your tax advantages. Contact us today to start a conversation about how to create a plan for giving that meets your goals and timeframe.
