Fidler Family

John and Lois Fidler and children, Karen Downing, Kelley Fidler and Steve Fidler

Their gift: A combination of stocks, bonds and mutual funds

Like others who give through the Elkhart County Community Foundation, John and Lois Fidler believe ECCF is the perfect philanthropic channel for their gifting “because it touches so many different organizations,” as John says. Through their donor advised Fidler Family Charitable Fund, their gift to ECCF benefits the Boys and Girls Club of Goshen, CAPS and the Goshen Hospital Foundation on an annual basis, plus other deserving organizations as determined by John and Lois, their three children and grandchildren – in the spirit of multi-generational philanthropy.

John literally grew up in the Fidler ready-mix concrete business that his father, Lewis, founded in 1955. He worked summers beginning at age nine, then as he grew older, drove ready-mix trucks, kept the books, evolved into sales and eventually became president and CEO of the company.

John and Lewis, who was an ECCF founding donor, together established a Goshen Rotary Club scholarship program. For years both were involved with the Elkhart County 4-H Fair, Goshen College and the area’s community development.

After the Fidler business was sold, John saw the opportunity to return more to the community. “As our company had become more successful, I realized our success was all ‘local’ – thanks to our employees and our customers. It makes sense to give back to those who helped us.”

He and Lois established their ECCF-based Fidler Family Charitable Fund through a gift of appreciated property in the form of stocks, bond and mutual funds. The Fidlers’ charitable giving through the ECCF is helping them achieve their philanthropic goals and will continue to generate income that will be reinvested in the Elkhart County community. “It will go on long after we’re gone,” John says. “And that’s nice…”

Catherine Wells-Bentz

Advantages of a gift of stocks, bonds and/or mutual funds:

  • Charitable deduction for full fair market value, not original investment
  • No minimum amount required
  • No capital gains tax, compared to liquidation
  • Substantial tax savings; more than a cash gift if based on low cost basis
  • Reduces size of your estate