Donor Story

Goodmans Pass Along a Family Legacy

Philanthropy is a family value that flows from one generation to the next. Bob and Augusta Goodman of Virginia Beach left a lasting gift to their four children that continues a legacy of generosity. The Goodmans' estate gift underpins four donor-advised funds at the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. Each of their adult children is an advisor on one fund.

Bob and Augusta Goodman
"This is a way to make a gift to your family members so they can be involved in their community and do charitable giving," says Robert C. Goodman Jr., the Goodman's oldest son and a trust and estates lawyer with Kaufman & Canoles. He wrote the check establishing the funds on May 10, 2017, which would have been his mother's 100th birthday.

Bob Goodman, who passed away in 2006, was a fan of donor-advised funds that let people recommend grants to nonprofits meaningful to them. He co-founded The Virginia Beach Foundation in 1987, was its first board chair and started a family fund there in 1988. The Virginia Beach Foundation merged in 2010 with The Norfolk Foundation to form the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.

Bob, a co-founder of Goodman Segar Hogan and related companies, was president of the Optimist Club and the first president of the Downtown Norfolk Association. He led a regional United Way campaign and chaired the Virginia Beach Clean Community Commission, which led to his nickname of Mr. Clean.

Augusta Goodman, who passed away in April 2017, was active in school PTAs, led a citizen group to lower the speed limit on Atlantic Avenue and helped start VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads. Her favorite charity was the American Civil Liberties Union.

"Our parents were wonderful citizens and good people," Rob says. Their love of community lives on through their four children and their donor-advised funds: the Lynn G. Zoll Fund, the Beverly Goodman Fund and the David Goodman Fund as well as the expanded Martha and Rob Goodman Family Donor-Advised Fund started by the couple in 2008.

Donor-advised funds give "an advisor a chance and responsibility to be active in the community where the money was made," says Rob. "It is all a part of making a better community."

If you are interested in establishing a donor-advised fund at the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, contact Kay Stine at (757) 622.7951.

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