Powerball Winners Share Their Luck
Giving back to community is nothing new to Kelly and Anne Mulford.
Throughout his 36+ years working at the Quaker Oats Company, Kelly has contributed annually to the United Way of East Central Iowa (UWECI). Anne has participated in events to raise funds for causes like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the American Lung Association.
But the Mulfords generosity has taken on new meaning since June 2012, when Kelly won part of a $241 million Powerball jackpot. He was one of the Quaker “Shipping 20” who jointly won the jackpot; each ticketholder received about $5.6 million.
As Kelly puts it, he and Anne can now “add a couple more zeros” to their donations in a way that goes much further.
The Mulfords chose to give through the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. First, they contributed $75,000 to an endowed fund for the United Way of East Central Iowa. Each year, this donation will provide UWECI with $3,000 to $4,000.
“I knew I wanted to continue giving to United Way,” said Kelly. “I know the money is going to the right place and it’s important to give back to the community.”
“We also wanted to keep it local,” added Anne.
The Marion couple also established another designated, endowed fund for the Clothe-a-Child Program. This local effort was founded in 2009 to provide new clothing to children in need. Kelly has been a part of their annual outreach in the past through the Marion Masons Lodge #6.
The Mulfords’ financial advisor suggested that by giving through the Community Foundation, they could expand the generosity of their gift through endowed funds. In the process, the Mulfords also benefited from the Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program, which enables donors who establish endowed funds at qualified Iowa Community Foundations to claim state income tax credits worth 25 percent of the amount of their gift.
“The opportunity to work with the Community Foundation is going to help people here in Cedar Rapids,” Kelly explained. “It’s a wonderful way to give. We knew if we gave this way, our gift would continue to give forever.”
Kelly and Anne shake their heads at their good fortune, which has blessed them ever since they met on a memorable date: 1/1/11. They married on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17, 2012) and Kelly won the Powerball jackpot on June 13, 2012 – the fourth anniversary of the 2008 Flood.
Kelly retired from Quaker Oats this spring. He and Anne paid off their home mortgage and will soon move to Minnesota, where they are building a new home on Anne’s five-acre farm near Faribault.
They are happy to know that they were able to turn part of their new-found wealth into ongoing gifts of support for those in need, thanks to the Community Foundation.