DONOR SPOTLIGHT: AMY AND JAY VANKAT’S PLANNED GIVING STORY

October is Estate Planning Awareness Month. 

What is Estate Planning?

Estate Planning is a broad term for how you decide to manage your money and property after you are gone. There are different types of estate plans: wills, trusts and planned charitable gifts.  

Planned giving in particular is the process of designating a future gift to a nonprofit organization as part of your overall estate plan. Planned gifts are made during a donor’s lifetime.

This month, we are proud to spotlight Amy and Jay Vankat, whose planned gift helps ensure a strong future for the Consortium. 

Jay’s connection with the Consortium dates back to 1918, when his grandmother graduated from the former Assumption Grade School! After spending decades attending South Omaha Catholic schools, he now serves on the Consortium Board of Directors.

“Including the Consortium in our estate plan was a small way to repay all of those whose sacrifices have benefited us,” Jay said.

Enjoy the below Q&A with Amy and Jay. 

Q: What inspired you to include the Omaha Catholic School Consortium in your estate plans? 

A: The legacy of Catholic education was started by Jay’s grandmother, Helen Bezousek, who graduated from Assumption Grade School in 1918. It was her and Jay’s parents, Jack (Assumption class of 1940) and Rose Marie Vankat, who inspired us to include the Consortium in our estate planning. The sacrifices made by Jay’s parents, as well as sacrifices made by many others, including the Notre Dame Sisters who taught at Assumption School for many years, paved the way for Jay’s Catholic education and faith, which is the foundation of our marriage and our family. Including the Consortium in our estate plan was a small way to repay all those whose sacrifices have benefited us. 

Q: How else has Catholic education shaped your life or outlook?  

A: After attending Assumption School, Jay and his nine siblings all graduated from Gross Catholic High School. Catholic education was a big part of the Vankat family. Our faith has been at the center of our lives and our marriage. Passing on our faith through active participation in our parish and the Catholic schools that our children attended was a central part of our family life. 

Q: Why did the Consortium stand out to you as a place worthy of long-term investment? 

A: As Catholics, we are called to help build up the Body of Christ and to give back to the Lord for His many blessings upon us. The Consortium has enabled Catholic elementary schools in South Omaha to continue to do this by providing a strong educational foundation for students as well as a strong foundation in the Catholic faith and Christian moral values. Helping to fund the Consortium is a long-term investment in the Body of Christ and in the lives of the many students and families that the Consortium serves. 

Q: What do you hope your planned gift will help make possible for future students and families?

A: We hope that our gift will help students be able to attend Consortium schools and receive the many blessings that God pours forth through the schools helping the students to become the people that God created them to be.  

Q: How was the process of setting up your planned gift? 

A: Our planned gift to the Consortium will be made through an endowment that we have established with the Catholic Future Foundation of Northeast Nebraska. The endowment is designated as the beneficiary of a percentage of our retirement savings. The Consortium can also be designated as a direct beneficiary of a 401(k) Plan account or Individual Retirement Account (“IRA”), which is very easy to do and provides income tax benefits as well.

Q: What would you say to someone who’s considering a legacy gift but hasn’t taken that step yet?

A: Reflect on God’s many blessings in your life. Pray, and ask the Lord if He is calling you to take that step and to give back to Him in this way. Be not afraid!

Q: How does it feel knowing your gift will continue to support Catholic education for generations to come? 

A: It is humbling, but fulfilling, knowing that we are able, in a small way, to help current and future generations grow in knowledge and understanding in their faith and love of God.

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Thank you, Amy and Jay for your belief in the Omaha Catholic School Consortium! 

Since 2012, the Consortium has provided students and families with a faith-filled education rooted in excellence. You can help us shape the future of Consortium students for future generations to come. By including the Consortium in your financial or estate plans, you provide lasting support for student success. Planned gifts are simple to set up and cost nothing during your lifetime, yet they make a lasting impact.