Making a Difference with an IRA

Mildred “Millie” Majeski (photo) was an early activist in the Save Our Shoreline efforts. As her daughter Joan Majeski recalls, when Millie was working to prevent a new steel mill on the Muskegon Lake shoreline, her boss told her “Millie, you need to stop fighting this because it’s going to happen.” Millie simply said “we’ll see,” and kept fighting…and today, our shoreline is still free of that steel mill.

Now Joan is excited to honor her mom’s love of the environment. She created the Mildred Majeski Fund using her Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from her IRA. The fund will carry on Millie’s legacy by supporting shoreline restoration, clean water, and future environmental opportunities…forever.

We are honored to celebrate Joan as a true friend of the Foundation, and more importantly, the community. She has a history of doing great things – in addition to creating Millie’s fund, she has long planned to leave a gift through her estate to support the things that are important to her, like education, the United Way, the Child Abuse Council, and the Muskegon Civic Theatre. In 2004, she took the next step and established the Joan Majeski Fund, which she adds to each year using her RMD, and enjoys being actively involved in grantmaking.

Our community is stronger because of Millie and Joan – thank you!

If you’re 70 ½ or older, consider turning your RMD into a tax-smart gift. By rolling money directly from your IRA to the Foundation, your distribution of up to $100,000 is not claimed as income, and can support something you love in the community! Contact our Development Team to talk about your ideas!

Heidi Sytsema, VP of Development / heidi@muskegonfoundation.org
Pete DeBoer, Donor Relationship Director / pete@muskegonfoundation.org
Samantha Ferguson, Development Officer / samantha@muskegonfoundation.org