Peggy & Len Ruby
Longtime parishioners at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Peggy and Len Ruby take a very organized approach to giving.
“Our support falls into three broad categories: Education, aid for priestly formation and assistance for the poor,” says Len. “We look for specific causes within these areas and try to provide help with both our time and resources.”
Besides their home parish, the Rubys are passionate about several organizations including Bishop Lynch High School, their local St. Vincent dePaul Conference, the Diocesan Education Endowment Trust (DEET), Catholic Charities Dallas and Holy Trinity Seminary.
The Rubys are equally strategic in terms of how they support the causes that are important to them. First and foremost is their personal involvement. Besides terms on various boards for the organizations above, Len spent nine years on the board of The Catholic Foundation, ending in a two-year term as chairman. Currently, Len leads the DEET board where he has been a long-term member.
When it comes to financial support for these causes, Peggy and Len turn to the expertise of The Catholic Foundation for assistance in making their philanthropy easier and more taxwise.
“The team at the Foundation is very experienced and really takes the time to ensure that the giving vehicles they recommend are precisely tailored to our needs,” says Len. “Each year I have to take required minimum distributions from my IRA. With their capable assistance, we developed a fund that we will use to make five- and six-figure gifts over the next decade. They make the process very simple for us. The Foundation even arranged for our children to recommend grants from our Fund after we are gone. That was important to us.”
Len also helps lead the charge in growing an endowment called The Gorman Society, which will ultimately cover the Foundation’s annual expenses.
“Such an endowment would allow the Unrestricted Philanthropy Fund to be used exclusively for increasing grants in our community without having to bear the burden for the Foundation’s expenses. Greater impact with larger grants is great for both the Foundation and the organizations we serve,” says Len.
Thoughtful, decisive philanthropy is part of the Ruby’s lasting legacy. The Catholic Foundation is honored to support Peggy and Len in their charitable efforts.