Quentin and Sally Heimerman’s legacy of philanthropy carries across the generations
Growing up in a two-story colonial home in Stillwater, Minn., each of the seven Heimerman children received a small allowance from their parents Quentin and Sally. But there was a slight catch – 10 percent was to be donated to their church, St. Michael’s.
From their earliest days, each child was taught the importance of giving back as they watched their parents faithfully tithe to their church, despite the financial challenges of raising a growing family.
“Their tithing was given in thanksgiving for the blessings God had bestowed on their family. The importance of giving back, whether to the church or others, was very fundamental to them,” daughter Elaine Hathaway, 60, a retired CPA who lives in Middleton, Wis. said.
Heimerman Family
Quentin was well-known in the Stillwater community, eventually serving as president and part-owner of a local bank. When he and his business partners sold the bank to what would later become U.S. Bank in 1992, Quentin and Sally established the Heimerman Family Foundation with all seven children serving as board members and providing input into the recipients each year.
“Quent and I felt it was the perfect way to actively involve our seven children in helping others,” Sally, 87, said.
Quentin joined the Catholic Community Foundation (CCF) board in 1993, and after a discussion with a CCF gift planning officer, he and Sally moved their private family foundation into an Endowed Donor Advised Fund with CCF, with Hathaway the successor advisor. The change ensured they could continue to involve the next generation in their family’s legacy of philanthropy.
They identified 23 beneficiaries of their charitable fund, including CCF’s Legacy Fund, Catholic Relief Services, and Sharing and Caring Hands.
Since 2004, nearly 300 grants have been directed by the Heimerman family totaling more than $825,000.
For each of Quentin and Sally’s children, seeing their parent’s dedication to philanthropy has instilled a passion for giving back in each of them, both financially and through their gift of time as volunteers in their parishes and beyond.
“It’s by osmosis,” Hathaway, who serves as a trustee and member of the finance council at her parish in the Diocese of Madison, explained. “From an early age, our parents taught us that everything we have is a gift from God, not of our own doing, and with that comes the responsibility of sharing our gifts with others.”
While Quentin passed away in November 2013, he leaves behind a legacy of love and giving starting with Sally on through to their youngest grandchild, age 17, and four great-grandchildren.
“It’s been wonderful,” Sally said, reflecting on the impact of their philanthropic efforts. “And I’m glad that it’s going to go on and on.”