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Bee Lilyjones's avatar

We have in our village an educational trust foundation set up by a philanthropic parishioner hundreds of years ago. Young people in the village benefit from it every year, including our son when he left home for university. It isn’t a great deal of money but the thought of the man who left some money to make it happen warms the cockles of my heart.

Stacy Boone's avatar

It is good to know that some trusts continue with their mandates, are run by those with good intentions. Too often, a manager(s) will run to insolvent so that structures, etc. can be sold for another to use as an economic resource.

Yasmin Chopin's avatar

That's interesting, Bee. A good memory that your son was a benefactor.

I wonder how much we might need to leave in trust today for it to be still valid a few hundred years from now.

Yasmin Chopin's avatar

OK, I'm answering my own question.

I've just asked AI to give me some figures.

The results are:

If I left £15,000 in a trust and the capital was to remain untouched, the interest could provide enough for anything between £75 and £125 to be dished out individually to six people each year. This fund could theoretically go on for ever.

Now there's a thought!

Stacy Boone's avatar

Not a lot of money to have a lifelong legacy. To feel that you are doing something good, meaningful.

Stacy Boone's avatar

EHB, generous and forward thinking. No matter if he wanted to be remembered in perpetuity with a distribution on his birthday, might as well choose a date and stick with it if eternal remembrance can be a part of the details! More though, I must believe this is a practice others can imitate. Perpetual gift giving is not possible for everyone, but the kindness of offering is possible by everyone. Recognizing there will ALWAYS be someone in need – for a good reason, bad reason, or no reason at all – might also be a reminder that we are individually just steps away from a better life or a less than perfect one.

Yasmin Chopin's avatar

As always, Stacy, your insight, is valuable. I think EHB had designs on going to heaven. And the amount he left for investment was quite small in relation to his wealth. That said, it was a charitable gesture. I would love to be able to let him know that the money is still working for him today.

Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Lovely sharing on these stories, thanks to all of you!

Bee Lilyjones's avatar

Thanks for reading, Jeanine.

Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

My pleasure. All so interesting. Yasmin's prompts are great, and neat you've all come a long way now together.

Yasmin Chopin's avatar

Much appreciated, Jeanine.