Investing in What Comes Next: A Legacy Gift With Lasting Impact
For Ida May and Bob Mantel, Ingleside at Rock Creek (IRC) is not just a place to live. It is a community they actively help shape. Since moving to IRC nearly six years ago, they have volunteered on key resident committees, contributed their professional expertise, and built deep relationships across campus. Their recent decision to make a legacy gift reflects both gratitude for what IRC has given them and a commitment to ensuring its future strength for generations of residents to come.
What inspired you to include the Foundation in your legacy planning?
“We decided to do a charitable gift annuity, and we used our refundable entrance fee to finance that,” Ida May explained. “At the end of your life, the whole remainder goes to the Foundation and can be used for anything that is needed at that time.”
Bob added, “The Foundation has access to the full amount. Being able to contribute that both now and, of course, after we’re gone was something that we felt could benefit us and others.”
Why was it important to make an impact during your lifetime as well as in the future?
“What we’re doing is using money that would just sit there for no return,” Bob said. “This is an opportunity where both we and the Foundation benefit.”
Ida May agreed. “It’s nice to know that going forward they’re able to fund things in the future.”
What impact have you seen from the Foundation during your time at IRC?
“There is a range of programs,” Bob noted. “The music program here, for example. We have seen how we personally benefit and we’ve seen the benefits to others. To contribute to that is meaningful to us.”
Ida May pointed to future improvements as well. “Our executive director is planning a whole renovation of what’s called our marketplace. I know he’s budgeted for it, but the Foundation will be able to provide additional funding as well.”
How has your volunteer involvement influenced your perspective on giving?
“I’m vice president of the resident council, and she’s chair of the budget and finance committee,” Bob said. “Through that involvement, I’ve grown much more to appreciate the dedication, skills, and talents of the staff here and what they enable us to do.”
Ida May added, “A lot of what I do is aimed at educating people about the financial health of this institution. So, we have more people who really understand the finances here.”
What would you say to others considering a legacy gift?
“We recognize that times change,” Bob reflected. “By donating to the Foundation, it’ll be available to people after we’re gone. So, it’s the future as well as the present.”
“And no one needs to leave Ingleside for financial reasons,” Ida May said, referencing the Resident Supporting Fund. “That’s pretty amazing.”