Arlene Kennedy challenges donors to "pay it forward"

The contagious brand of caring presented in Catherine Ryan Hyde’s novel Pay It Forward, and the movie of the same name, inspired Western retiree Arlene Kennedy. She liked the “ripple effect” or “positive pyramid scheme” created by an act of generosity given without expectation of pay back and instead passed along to others.

As former Director of the McIntosh Gallery at The University of Western Ontario, Kennedy has taken the “pay it forward” idea and turned it into a planned giving challenge. The Gallery is using the challenge to:

* continue to encourage the donation of art collections and artists’ archives as well as the financial resources to conserve, preserve and insure the items
* encourage planned gifts to add a new wing onto the Gallery and support its operation
* encourage current and potential donors to provide names of other individuals who would welcome the opportunity to participate in the initiative.

“The Pay It Forward Challenge is a way to make a difference in the future by paying into it for unexpected, unimaginable results,” says Kennedy. “The idea fits well with the mission of a public gallery like the McIntosh which collects art to educate and inspire future generations.”

Recognizing that the “pay it forward” concept starts with one person, Kennedy has made the first commitment herself. She has purchased a life insurance policy that once realized will provide $250,000 towards the construction of the new Gallery wing.

As a Western employee, Kennedy has seen the impact of planned gifts at the McIntosh Gallery and throughout the University. Seeing these results has reaffirmed her faith in Western; her gift of life insurance is her second planned gift to the University. “With a planned gift, you’ll never see the result. You can channel it, but ultimately you have to let it go and just trust that it will happen."

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