On February 26, 2016, on what would have been Hunter's 25th birthday, Mark, Regan, Lawlor, Jordan and I launched the Be The Boat Fund in memory of Hunter Quigley Coe, our beloved son and brother. It is no understatement to say that this would not have been possible without the counsel and guidance of the Community Foundation. 

As we've written before about the engagement of the Foundation, “it allowed us to bring a dream to life. When our son Hunter died in 2015, we wanted to create a legacy that honored his spirit of generosity but knew we lacked the structure to do so. Adrift, we turned to the Foundation, and with them navigated a wide-raging discussion about our son, goals for giving, community engagement, 501(c)3 structures, grant-making processes, needs assessment, and more. From that, the Foundation presented an outline of the Hunter Quigley Coe Be The Boat Fund that synthesized our tenuous goal into an actionable plan, and we knew we found the partner we needed! At each subsequent step, the Foundation guided us through the “business” steps of philanthropy; with two grants awarded, we are confident we would not be collaborating with as venerable an organization as Hephzibah Children’s Association without the Foundation’s counsel. From stormy seas, Be The Boat has emerged and with it, Hunter’s legacy has been brought to life! As a family, we are so very grateful.” 

What this experience has taught us is that you don't need to be Bill and Melinda Gates to start a family foundation - it can be done with modest means. And the feeling derived from building and executing a philanthropic endeavor is so life-affirming. When we can do anything but choose to be kind, well, that's the bees knees!

Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation

1049 Lake Street
Suite 204
Oak Park, IL 60301

www.oprfcf.org

708-848-1560