Longtime CASE volunteer Kyle C. Button and his husband Christopher Aldama have designated a proportion of their estate to go to CASE with the intent that it be used to conduct research on institutional advancement, foster the development of the advancement profession, pursue work on ethics and professional standards, create and deliver new programs or conferences, or provide resources in emerging markets.
“This is CASE’s first estate gift and it’s a significant milestone for the emerging development program at CASE,” says Linda Durant, CASE’s vice president of development. “This type of endowment gift is exemplary and for it to come from a loyal and long-standing volunteer makes it incredibly special for everyone in the CASE community. It will benefit all of our members in the future as it enables our leadership to be creative and innovative and enhance our ability to transform lives and society through education.”
The endowment, to be called the Kyle C. Button and Christopher Aldama Endowed Fund for Innovation and Excellence, will provide CASE leadership with the ability to underwrite risk or pursue opportunities in serving the advancement field “even in circumstances in which the ROI [return on investment] is unknown or uncertain,” says Button.
“I became involved with CASE early on in my career,” explains Button. “I found myself in a position of great responsibility as a young professional and CASE provided the tools, research, and a network of colleagues who have become friends, and even family, in some cases. I have been a loyal member of CASE as both a volunteer and as an advancement professional.”
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of CASE. This remarkable gift demonstrates that being involved with CASE also has profound personal and professional impact on the lives of our volunteers,” says Sue Cunningham, president and CEO of CASE. “We at CASE are enormously grateful to Kyle and Christopher for their generosity and vision.”
Both Button and Aldama were the first in their families to attend college, and they are “deeply aware of what education has meant in our lives,” they say. “We have few family members for whom we have financial responsibility and we want to leave a legacy of service.” The two will be giving to several charitable organizations, but CASE will be the principal recipient of their estate.
“CASE has been a constant in my career and in my life. This feels right and appropriate,” says Button.