Why We Give: Joan and Charles Leach
Joan and Charles Leach of Farmington have been long-time supporters of charitable causes in New Britain and surrounding communities for many years. Born in China and raised in Vermont, Charles spent 30 years as a cardiologist at New Britain General Hospital, including 18 years as the hospital’s director of cardiology. He is now retired and is a member of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain’s board of directors. Joan, a retired registered nurse, was born in Brooklyn and is a former head nurse at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. She spent 23 years as a professor of nursing at Capital Community College in Hartford, specializing in gerontological nursing, and has also taught nursing at Hartford Hospital, Mount Sinai in Hartford and St. Joseph College in West Hartford.
The Leaches established the Joan and Charles Leach Fund, a donor advised fund at the Community Foundation, in 2001. Over the past five years, the Leach Fund has supported a wide variety of community causes near and dear to the Leaches, including the New Britain Public Library, Prudence Crandall Center for Women, NAACP of New Britain, Plainville Historical Society, Perlas Hispanas Senior Recreation program in New Britain, and Women, Infants and Children Program of New Britain (WIC).
The Leach family is a superb example of how individuals can personally make a difference in their communities by working with the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain. Joan and Charles Leach talk about their philanthropy.....
Q. How did you become aware of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain and why did you become involved?
A. (Charles) Since I worked in New Britain for many years, I was aware of the Foundation
because of its support of the New Britain Museum of American Art, which Joan and I have long been involved with. I always liked the idea of a community foundation. National philanthropic organizations can support major national goals, but somebody has to pay attention to small communities and their needs; that’s what a community foundation offers.
Q. Talk about philanthropy and the misconception many people have that personal wealth is a prerequisite to being a philanthropist.
A. (Charles) The urge to contribute to your community really has little to do with how much you have to do it with. People contribute by their actions if they don’t have a lot of money. In our case we’re lucky enough to be able to contribute a little money, too. It’s important to do both.
(Joan) We are both really frugal people; we’ve been raised that way. I was raised in Brooklyn, the product of Depression-era parents, and Charles was raised in Vermont where frugality was a way of life. Over the years we’ve been able to, I think, save a bit more because we haven’t spent a lot on material things. So today, it gives us great joy to be able to use that money in better ways.
Q. How and why did you establish the Joan and Charles Leach Fund?
A. (Charles) We had gotten to the point in our lives that we wanted to give back. The people at the Foundation are experts and gave us the guidance we needed. We were motivated, we knew what we wanted to accomplish, and when you feel that way you go to somebody who knows how to help you accomplish it.
(Joan) People question if putting a small amount of money into a variety of pots is as worthwhile as donating to larger causes. We truly believe that if you have an interest in something and you can help in any way, that program will prosper. Sometimes it’s just what they need to get off the ground.
Q. What is appealing to you about the structure of a donor advised fund?
A. (Joan) What we like so much about the Community Foundation is that they put it in our hands; the arrangement with a donor advised fund is very open-ended and that’s very appealing. You don’t need to put in a huge amount of money and we are able to make our own choices.
(Charles) I think charity can be learned by example. In our case, we are role modeling for our children. When we are gone, our children will take over this role, directing funds to causes our family believes in. This fund gives us the opportunity to get our children involved in philanthropy. By that time we are hopeful that our fund will have grown so that it can make even more significant donations.
Q. How has the Foundation helped you meet your personal philanthropic goals?
A. (Charles) The overall feeling I get from the Foundation is tremendous warmth and caring.
Feeling needed and appreciated is part of the equation, and you get that emotional feedback from the Foundation.
(Joan) The Foundation staff is a true reflection of the kind of people you hope to meet up with in that type of organization. If you have curiosity about some activity or program, they will research it for you. They are smart and very approachable.
Q. Do you have any words of advice for those contemplating how best to become involved in philanthropy?
A. (Joan) Reflect on what your personal interests are, what’s happened in your background, and the kinds of activities and causes you tend to identify with. You don’t have to have a lot of money to make a difference. Cut back on your frills and spend your money in the right places. And when you need help, call the Foundation.
(Charles) It’s a very personal, rewarding experience – and lots of fun.
The Joan and Charles Leach Fund has supported a diverse array of community programs, including Perlas Hispanas Senior Recreation program (left) at South Congregational-First Baptist Church in New Britain operated by the Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc.
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