Honoring a Legacy: Ruby Humphrey

A heartfelt gift made in memory of the late Oscar M. and Edna A. Himrich to SDCF is helping establish long-term charitable support in the Selby area. 

The Oscar M. and Edna A. Himrich Family Fund, a subfund of the Selby Community Foundation, was created by a gift from their daughter through an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), a powerful and often overlooked way to give that can benefit both the donor and community. 

An IRA QCD allows individuals age 70½ or older to make tax-free gifts directly from their IRA to a qualified charity. This giving option can reduce a donor’s taxable income, even if one does not itemize deductions, and possibly satisfy a required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year. It’s a strategic tool for those who want to use their retirement savings to make a lasting difference and lower the income and taxes from IRA withdrawals. 

In this case, the IRA QCD was directed toward a generous challenge match to help launch the Selby Community Foundation, one of 90 Community Savings Account partners with SDCF that will benefit area nonprofits, schools and community projects now and in the future. This type of giving not only honors a family legacy but builds one. 

“My mother and father were always giving to Selby,” shared their daughter, Ruby (Himrich) Humphrey. “They would be proud to know this fund will support the community they loved for years to come.” 

As more donors approach the age of RMDs, a QCD can be one of the most tax-efficient and impactful ways to give. It’s especially meaningful when combined with initiatives like challenge grants, where a single gift can help unlock even greater funding for local causes.

If you’re looking for a way to support your community while maximizing your retirement giving, consider exploring an IRA QCD.