SPRING 2024
BGCFyi LASTING LEGACY:
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING, FOREVER. It isn’t often one person has the opportunity,
piece of those communities
community. It’s even more rare for someone to
home.
ability and charisma to impact an entire
arrive in a small Kentucky town in adulthood and leave an imprint so large that the town now carries his legacy proudly after his passing.
But sometimes, when the cards fall just right,
a person can do all of that while also changing the lives of so many.
For Franklin County, that man was George Russell.
George was born in Rome, Georgia, and
found his way to the Bluegrass State after he graduated from Abilene Christian University
in Texas, and served two years in the Peace
Corps in Chile. However, once he arrived, he was a force to be reckoned with.
After planting in Franklin County, George
became friends with local financial advisor, and future mayor of Frankfort, Layne
Wilkerson, who was serving as chair of the board for the Franklin County Community Fund (FCCF). Through Wilkerson’s
encouragement and persistence, George’s interest was finally sparked.
back to the town he called
“George’s professional work took him to many counties where he experienced
the local culture and their
communities,” said current FCCF board member Wil
Rhodes. “These experiences frequently brought back new
perspectives and a reinforced love and commitment of his
own community of Frankfort.
He understood that people were much more
powerful as a collective and that belief found a home in the Franklin County Community Fund.”
Sadly, George passed suddenly in December of 2022 and for many people in Franklin
County, the question became, “What will we do without George Russell’s impact?”
Luckily, George answered that question himself.
His generosity and love for his community
led him to leave a sizable legacy gift to the
He quickly became a pillar of the FCCF board,
Franklin County Community Fund. While there
fund worked, the impact it had on the
George’s gift is the first in the community to
connections would best serve the community
for the community fund to hit almost a quarter
George was responsible for the recruitment
the Franklin County community for years to
yearning to understand how the community
are other planned gifts set to be left to FCCF,
community, and who among his arsenal of
come to fruition. His gift has made it possible
as a member of the board. Single-handedly,
of a million dollars in assets, which will impact
of six board members and led by example by
come.
putting his whole self into the success of the community fund.
George’s love of travel, exploration and knowledge allowed him to take many
adventures. From across Kentucky, to Europe, to Kazakhstan and Malawi, to Montenegro
and Cambodia, to Kosovo and El Salvador, George was always eager to bring a small SPRING 2024
“While we acknowledge and appreciate all
the contributions that have grown the fund
over the past few years, it is legacy gifts that
can really make it grow,” said board member Harry Carver. “George Russell’s inclusion of
the fund in his estate planning resulted in our first legacy gift, making a huge difference in
the fund’s balance. By doing this, George will
keep giving to our community for generations to come.”
Your will tells a story – it’s a testament to your lifetime of accomplishments, and it ensures your values live on. Your charitable giving
reflects your values today, and for George, his gift was only the beginning.
“George was so well known, so deeply committed to his community and so
voraciously loved, people have opened funds and given gifts simply because it
was important to him,” said Blue Grass Community Foundation’s Director of
Community Advancement Jane Higgins. “We
celebrate his life and his legacy by giving back to the community he loved. I’ve heard many
times since his passing, ‘I support the Franklin County Community fund because George
supported the Franklin County Community Fund.’”
Blue Grass Community Foundation and the
Franklin County Community Fund are honored to have been a part of George’s story and, even more so, a part of his lasting legacy. To learn more about how Blue Grass
Community Foundation can help you
ensure your philanthropic values live on, continue reading on page 7.
BLUE GRASS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION