Turning Loss into Legacy

At some point, most of us face difficult or painful events that can leave a lasting impact. However, those experiences don’t have to define us or our future.

At Stablish Foundation, we’ve witnessed how individuals and families have found hope and healing by transforming personal loss into meaningful, positive change through legacy charitable giving.

Here are just a few stories of how Stablish Foundation donors have turned hardship into hope:

1. One family lost their beloved daughter to suicide. She had been the goalie on her college soccer team–a bright, promising young woman. In the midst of their grief, her family reflected on what their daughter would have wanted. Instead of focusing on her loss, they chose to honor her memory by working to prevent similar tragedies. They recognized the unique pressures faced by female athletes and decided to help alleviate some of that stress by providing financial support. Through Stablish Foundation, they created a Family Charitable Fund in her name, raising money for scholarships for female soccer players and supporting education about suicide prevention among young women in sports. Their generosity is now making a real difference, offering both hope and opportunities to others.
2. The loss of a loved one is always difficult, and when there are no immediate family members left, such loss can feel especially isolating. One father, after losing his wife and both children to cerebral palsy, found himself alone. In his grief, he made the profound decision to leave his entire estate to the Donor-Advised Fund with Stablish Foundation. His goal: to support research for a cure for cerebral palsy and to assist families affected by the disease. His and his family’s legacy now lives on, offering help and hope to countless others facing similar challenges.
3. Sometimes, negative experiences are deeply personal. Years ago, a donor who struggled academically in high school dreamed of becoming a college professor. With limited financial aid available to students with average grades, she faced significant obstacles. Yet, through determination, she achieved her goal and became a professor. Upon her passing, she established a Donor-Advised Fund to provide scholarships specifically for high school students with C averages–those who, like her, might otherwise be overlooked. Her gift not only honors her own journey but also opens doors for others, turning her personal struggles into opportunities for future generations.

For nearly 30 years, Stablish Foundation has been privileged to witness countless stories where adversity has inspired extraordinary generosity. Through each donor’s motivation is unique, the outcome is always to same: lives are improved, and hope is renewed.