Legacy Philanthropy

OPENING DOORS TO LEGACY PHILANTHROPY

Professional advisors play a crucial role in propelling legacy philanthropy. The Chester County Community Foundation’s Door Opener Award recognizes professional advisors who support and encourage legacy philanthropy. The Community Foundation is pleased to spotlight David M. Frees, III, Esq., and Kurt Kunsch as this year’s Door Openers. They suggested that Robert H. Erb consider the Community Foundation as a vehicle for his philanthropy, ultimately establishing the Jonas C., Marian D., and Robert H. Erb Charitable Fund. Robert H. Erb joined the Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) faculty in 1970 as a librarian, just six years after the college’s founding. His service to the library continued for 45 years until his retirement in 2015. However, his commitment to MCCC didn’t end there. As a passionate learner and avid steward of his community, Mr. Erb was always looking to improve and learn more each day and he wanted to help MCCC students do the same. “I got to know Mr. Erb quite well after working with him for a number of years,” explains David M. Frees, III, Esq., Mr. Erb’s estate planning attorney. “He used to share stories of times when he stayed late at the library assisting students with their research, listening to their stories, and providing encouragement and advice. In every conversation we had, I could feel the love he had for the college, the students, and his community.” Dave is an estate planning attorney, author, seminar presenter, and internationally known speaker. He is Chairman of the Trust, Estates, and Wealth Preservation section of Unruh Turner Burke & Frees, and co-chairs the Elder Law Solutions section of the firm. His practice focuses on planned giving, asset protection, and estate and tax planning and administration. “Mr. Erb was passionate about the community college mission,” continues Dave, “and he wanted MCCC to reflect his diverse community. That is one of the many reasons he continued his partnership with the college as a philanthropist, both during and after his employment. Knowing he already had clear philanthropic intentions, my assignment was to steer him in the right direction for the best charitable giving options. We discussed the Chester County Community Foundation a number of times. I went over the advantages of a donor-advised fund at the Foundation. And, given Mr. Erb’s interest in education, he determined a scholarship fund would be the best fit. Mr Erb. wanted the fund to be named after his parents, which is how he came to create the Jonas C., Marian D., and Robert H. Erb Charitable Fund.” Dave is a lifelong friend of Kurt Kunsch, the Senior Vice President and Trust Managing Director for Phoenixville Federal Bank and Trust. According to Kurt, “Dave has been instrumental as a career mentor. He inspired me to get more involved with the Foundation’s mission, and he served as Chair of the Foundation’s Board in 2004.” Kurt has been at the nexus of scores of wealth management and estate planning conversations since joining Phoenixville Federal Bank and Trust in 1996. He has established himself as a leader in the field, with his sound business practices, reputation of integrity and trust, and personal ethos of community service. Kurt’s passion for community involvement started with his father Dick Kunsch, former Vice Chairman/ CEO at Phoenixville Federal Bank and Trust. “My Dad always instilled in us the importance of giving back and donating time or resources to assist others in need,” says Kurt.

David M. Frees, III, Esq. Kurt Kunsch

Phoenixville Federal Bank and Trust is an investment partner of the Jonas C., Marian D., and Robert H. Erb Charitable Fund, through the Community Foundation’s Medallion Partners program. Though he did not know Mr. Erb personally, Kurt says, “I am always very moved by an individual and/or their family’s passion to give back to help those who need it most. The altruistic spirit that exists in our community is inspiring. Several of our clients have charitable funds at the Chester County Community Foundation. True to its mission, the Community Foundation provides a vehicle for those with a charitable interest to connect with nonprofit causes that matter to them both today and in their legacy plans.”

The Jonas C., Marian D., and Robert H. Erb Charitable Fund was established at the Chester County Community Foundation because it was the best fit for Mr. Erb’s charitable intentions. The Fund supports education, particularly reading, writing, and speech, through direct scholarships to students or distributions to Montgomery County Community College or similar accredited institutions in Chester County, Montgomery County, and Delaware County. Programs and activities must make a significant impact on learning enhancement and learning skills. Each year the fund advisors will award grants in ways that uphold Mr. Erb’s vision, cementing his desire to make a lasting impact in his community. Please join the Community Foundation in spotlighting Door Openers David M. Frees, III, Esq., and Kurt Kunsch at the Community Foundation’s Annual Meeting & Legacy Celebration on Monday evening, October 24, 2022 at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center in West Chester. The event is free and open to the public. Questions? Contact: Karen Simmons, President/CEO or Jason Arbacheski, CAP®, Director of Gift Planning and Stewardship, Chester County Community Foundation. 28 West Market Street, West Chester PA 19382 (610) 696-8211 | jason@chescocf.org | www.chescocf.org