By using tax-wise giving strategies, he shows how thoughtful planning can benefit both donors and the University.
When Don Stuart thinks about his years at St. Lawrence, one idea rises quickly to the surface.
“I often say St. Lawrence was the place where I grew up,” he reflects. “It was an environment that gave me room to grow without fear of getting it wrong.”
Like many students, Don arrived on campus without a clear plan. What he found instead was an environment that was both supportive and challenging—one that gave him space to explore academic interests, get involved beyond the classroom, and gradually discover where his strengths lay.
By the end of his first year, those interests were beginning to take shape. As he became more engaged academically and in co-curricular life, economics started to feel like the right path.
“It’s hard to find something that you’re interested in, that uses your strengths, and that also meets your financial needs,” he says. “When those things come together, that’s a sweet spot.”
That perspective has also influenced how Don approaches philanthropy. Over time, his giving to St. Lawrence has evolved alongside his financial life.
“In the early days, I wrote a check for not too much money,” he says with a laugh. “Later, when I had some appreciated securities, I started transferring them to avoid capital gains tax. Then I learned about donor-advised funds, which offered flexibility and made it very simple.”
Now approaching another stage of giving, Don plans to take advantage of another charitable option available to those age 70 ½ or older: making Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) to St. Lawrence directly from his IRA.
“It’s really a win-win,” he explains. “There are tax advantages for the donor, and St. Lawrence benefits as well. If you’re not using those retirement funds for day-to-day life, it can be a great way to put them to work immediately, and you pay no federal income tax in the process.”
But for Don, giving isn’t only about strategy.
“There’s an emotional benefit too,” he says. “You’re giving back to the place that gave you the opportunity.”
When he talks with fellow Laurentians about philanthropy, he encourages them to think of giving as something that can evolve over time.
“Walk before you run,” he advises. “Maybe you start by writing a check. Over time, you may discover other options that work for you.”
For Don, thoughtful giving is ultimately about creating opportunity for others—just as St. Lawrence once did for him.
“If you’re comfortable and in a position to do it,” Don says, “there are ways to support the University that are beneficial for you and for St. Lawrence. That’s a great combination.”