For more than two decades, the Nosek family has walked hand in hand with Aspire of WNY. Their son, Billy, grew up with the agency—from job training in high school to attending day programs and eventually settling into an Aspire of WNY Community Group Living home, which he proudly calls his own. The Noseks see Aspire of WNY as an essential part of Billy’s life—and by extension, their own.
That deeply personal connection recently inspired the couple to take their support one step further. This year, they made a Qualified Charitable Donation (QCD)—a unique type of charitable gift that allowed them to donate directly from their retirement accounts. It wasn’t just a smart financial move. For them, it was a meaningful way to invest in the future of an organization that has made a difference in their family’s life.
“We believe in what Aspire of WNY does,” says Mrs. Nosek. “And we want to shine a light on QCDs as a smart and impactful way for people our age to give back to causes they care about.”
So, what exactly is a QCD? It’s a way for people 70 ½ or older to donate money straight from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit—without that donation being taxed as income. For many, it’s a lesser-known giving strategy. But Mr. Nosek, with his tax-savvy background and family full of attorneys, had his eye on it.
“Last year, I had realized I just barely missed the cutoff—I technically turned 70 ½ before the year ended but hadn’t acted in time,” he recalled. “This year, we didn’t let that happen again. And now, we plan to make it an annual tradition.”
While Aspire of WNY was one of four nonprofits the couple chose to support through their QCD, it holds a special place in their hearts. “Billy’s entire life revolves around Aspire of WNY,” said Mrs. Nosek. “From speech therapy to job coaching to his day program and his home—it’s all connected. Aspire of WNY has given him the kind of life we always hoped for him: working two jobs, spending time with his friends, and just living as independently as possible.”
The Nosek’s didn’t need a long sit-down with a financial advisor to make their gift. They worked with each organization to follow its specific giving process, including Aspire of WNY. This year’s donation was split among Aspire of WNY and three educational institutions with personal meaning to them: St Mary’s High School in Lancaster (where the couple met), Canisius College (in memory of Mr. Nosek’s parents,) and Rochester Institute of Technology (Mr. Nosek’s MBA alma mater.)
Their gift wasn’t just about meeting today’s needs; it was about building a safety net for tomorrow. “We intend that this money will help during emergencies,” Mr. Nosek said. “If a roof leaks or a furnace fails, the agency shouldn’t have to scramble. If more families do what we’re doing, we can help alleviate some of that pressure. We hope to lead by example.”
And they hope their example inspires others to think. “QCDs aren’t just about a tax write-off,” he added. “They’re a way to support the causes that matter most to you. Sure, it lowers the amount you have to withdraw from your IRA. But more importantly, it helps organizations like Aspire of WNY—places that do so much but aren’t always first in line when government funding is handed out.”
The Noseks know they’re lucky to be in a position to give, and they want to use that privilege to help make a difference. “We’re fortunate,” Mr. Nosek said. “And we know there are others out there who can do something similar. If you can, it’s a powerful way to give back.”
Their biggest hope is that others follow suit. “If what we’ve done inspires even one other family to do the same thing, we’ll be very thankful for that.”
If you’re interested in learning more about QCD or how you can support Aspire of WNY through planned giving, please email intake@aspirewny.org.