2023 CFAAC Annual Report - Report - Page 35
Running Ahead: Dan and Susan Morrissey Plan to
Establish a Legacy Of giving
Dan and Susan Morrissey are gearing up for more than
their next marathon race, they’re also in the process
of shaping a future defined by philanthropy. Since
retirement, they’ve been raising funds for charities while
running marathons worldwide, most recently the Tokyo
Marathon in Japan.
They are considering endowing their fund to ensure
their giving continues in perpetuity. “Even after we and
our children are gone, we like the idea that there will
still be an impact from our legacy,” said Susan, who with
Dan, is impressed with the professionalism and services
provided by the Community Foundation.
“It’s fulfilling to be part of a team,” said Dan. “I’m doing
what I love—traveling, running races, and raising money
to help charities.”
“I can confidently give money and know that it’s going to
be handled the right way,” said Dan. “I truly believe that
by giving back, we are going to end up sleeping better
at night and feeling more fulfilled in general. I’m a big
believer in what comes around, goes around, and when
you help others, good things happen.”
Closer to home, Dan and Susan recently established
the Morrissey Legacy Family Trust with the Community
Foundation so they can continue to support causes after
they are gone. They became interested in the Community
Foundation when Dan read about CFAAC’s Special Offer
for Nonprofit Endowment Funds. Dan, a board member
of the South Shore Recovery Club, saw the offer as crucial
to sustain the organization’s mission in perpetuity.
“I got the ball rolling with the South Shore Recovery
Fund and when I started to understand more about
the Community Foundation, I wanted to be involved,”
said Dan, who with Susan, attended the Celebration of
Philanthropy Awards Luncheon. They were immediately
impressed with the awardees and their accomplishments.
“We came away thinking, ‘we ought to do something like
that,’” said Dan and soon after, they contacted CFAAC
about establishing a fund.
Dan and Susan said they hope people appreciate their
opportunities in the U.S. and recognize that not everyone
in the world gets the same opportunities. Dan added:
“We hope that we can inspire other people to reach out
to CFAAC and figure out how they can make an impact
in the world. I learned a long time ago that money in
the bank doesn’t buy happiness, but
giving back does.”
Despite humble beginnings, with Dan growing up
in Chicago and Susan in Ellicott City, both were
raised with a strong work ethic that guided their
successful careers—Susan as a RN with Mercy
Medical Center for 35 years, and Dan in
the auto parts distribution business for
41 years. “We have been so fortunate
in our lives so we want to help people
have the same opportunities that we
had,” said Dan.
The Morrisseys aim to both aid
those less fortunate and instill
a charitable philosophy in their
three adult children. “We feel it’s
imperative to demonstrate the
importance of giving through our
actions,” said Dan.
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