b'CASE STUDYThe Legacy of Helen L. Rinker AshleyFor the people of Voditsa, Bulgaria, it would seem as if an unlikely angel from a distant land has adopted their village and made its development her mission. Yet for Helen L. Rinker Ashley, it was inevitable that Voditsa should become the beneficiary of her philanthropy.Helens lawyers contacted CAF America and explained her desire to provide financial support for improvement projects in Voditsa. Helen did not designate specific charity beneficiaries to undertake this work, but instead relied on CAF Americas expertise and local networks to undertake the planning and program coordination that were necessary to achieve her philanthropic goals. Helen and her lawyers decided to open a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at CAF America to be financed from the sale of her property and other assets upon her death. After Helen passed at the age of 93 and her estate was settled, the monies available for the Fund provided by the estate were precisely $1,467,284.70 USD (which is equivalent to 2,610,543.43 Bulgarian Lev (BGN)).Through 2019, the Helen L. Rinker Ashley Fund has provided over $1.15 million USD ($2.04 million Bulgarian Lev (BGN)) toward more than 15 critical projects in the two areas Helen specified as her priorities: infrastructure and education. CAF America facilitated these projects through our close collaboration with our CAF Global Alliance partner, BCause. BCause was instrumental in building connections with the local community to understand their needs and to coordinate projects that would be most impactful for the community, and this partnership enabled us to make Helens dream a reality.From rebuilding nearly every community building in the village, to adding closed-circuit TV cameras in public areas for security, to installing a new water supply system, to rebuilding and repairing the clock tower that was damaged by an earthquake some four decades ago, Helens gift is improving the quality of life in Voditsa and making a difference where it is most needed. The Fund has also financed cultural events (giving birth to the local folk dancing festival), teacher training sessions, and new computers for the elementary school.PAGE11Charities Aid Foundation America | Individuals & Families'