Jack and Natalie Congdon
Investing in Life
Like so many of us, Jack Congdon is overwhelmed by the number of family and friends who have battled serious illnesses like cancer and heart disease. Jack himself is a cancer survivor and his wife of 57 years, Natalie, succumbed to the disease in 2010. For many years they enjoyed giving back together, writing small checks to a variety of nonprofits. Despite the broad reach, they knew they wanted to do more. Their focus shifted to finding a way to help their loved ones live longer and more fulfilling lives.
Just prior to Natalie’s death, the Congdons established a donor advised fund at The Community Foundation. Jack recalls, “We chose to get involved in philanthropy because it is the right thing to do. However, through our relationship with The Community Foundation, we were able to become more strategic. The staff offers a wealth of knowledge about community needs and resources. They have been invaluable in my pursuit to identify opportunities and, ultimately, make more thoughtful and impactful grants.”
For more than a half century, Jack has developed a strong work ethic while working alongside his mother and father, brother and sons to manage and grow his family’s trucking business. It is a value that he instills in future generations of his family and something that permeates every aspect of his life, including philanthropy. Jack is not satisfied simply making a donation. He seeks to learn firsthand about how he can make a tangible difference for local organizations and the people they serve.
Last year, TCF arranged for Jack to tour VCU Massey Cancer Center, one of only 66 cancer centers in the country designated by the National Cancer Institute, and the VCU Department of Cardiology, whose rich history includes the breakthrough research of Dr. Richard Lower in the area of heart transplantation. Upon meeting doctors and researchers who shared insights into the promising medical technologies and treatments that are having a life-prolonging impact on their patients, Jack committed $500,000 each to these institutions in memory of Natalie. The grants support clinical trial research at Massey Cancer Center and a visiting scholar program for the Division of Cardiology.
“This partnership enables us to further our goal to offer the best in cancer care and research in Virginia. Our team is able to advance research with more urgency and bring the benefits of clinical trials to people throughout the Commonwealth,” notes Dr. Gordon Ginder, Director of VCU Massey Cancer Center.