Sylvia Yee and Brian McCaffrey
Legacy Spotlight: Brian McCaffrey Esq.
By Andrea Vecchione, Major Gifts Officer
Long-time sangha member Brian McCaffrey is a retired Estate Planning Attorney who has been practicing in San Francisco for decades. He is also a Legacy Donor who has added SFZC as part of his estate planning. His experience and knowledge prompted me to sit down and ask him about the estate planning process and his thoughts about why people should consider adding SFZC to their will or trust.
He shared this story with me: “I remember working with a client. She said to me ‘if I die …’ and I then said to her, ‘no—when you die. It’s not up to us when it will happen, but it will happen’.” He encourages everyone who has not started writing their estate plans to just take that first step. “Find the lawyer that you feel comfortable with, and make a call or send an email and then get out your calendar and write it down. Then follow through with the appointment.”
When I asked why he decided to give a legacy gift to SFZC he replied, “We are all part of the Sangha, and part of a history from Japan to here. The seeds have been planted. SFZC is a substantial institution and it requires feeding and watering. What is helpful about legacy gifts is that you can give a gift with guidelines and put your money where it is most needed, either toward general operations or a specific restricted fund.”
One such fund is the Temple Stewardship Fund which is a restricted fund with the sole purpose for the infrastructure and upkeep of the three SFZC temples: City Center, Green Gulch Farm, and Tassjara.
Make-a-Will Month is an opportunity to start your estate planning process now. If you have any questions or would like more information about leaving a legacy gift to SFZC please contact development@sfzc.org.
