For those who don’t know me, I’m Jack Raineault, Board Chair of Healdsburg Jazz. I’ve been on the Board for eight years and was elected Board Chair in 2019. Jazz has been a passion of mine since my college days (it’s been more years than I want to admit). I heard Charles Lloyd’s Forest Flower on a jazz radio station back then, and though I didn’t completely abandon the classic rock I grew up with, I was intrigued by the improvisational freedom and driving rhythms of jazz. I was hooked.

My connection to jazz ran even deeper when I met my wife, Ruth Ahlers, who is a jazz saxophonist. On our second date, the restaurant was playing recorded jazz, and when I identified John Coltrane playing on Green Dolphin Street in the background Ruth was clearly impressed. I’m not saying it was that moment that led to our eventual marriage, but jazz played its part in our being together now for 20 years.

We feel so fortunate to be involved in the growing Healdsburg Jazz community and to share our love of jazz with the many wonderful people we have met through the organization. We support Healdsburg Jazz because of its outstanding year-round music programming and the impactful educational opportunities it provides for youth—and adults—throughout Sonoma County.

Ruth and I don’t have children, so we’re not focused on preserving wealth for the next generation. Instead, we’ve chosen to align our financial planning with our values through charitable giving. This has taken a few different forms over the years, each reflecting our commitment to making a meaningful impact:

  • We established a Donor Advised Fund, which enables us to make charitable contributions while reducing income subject to federal tax.
  • Beginning at age 73, the IRS requires taking the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from IRAs, which counts as taxable income. Since reaching the mandatory age I have donated a portion of my RMD each year to several nonprofits, including Healdsburg Jazz, and thereby reduced our federal tax bite.
  • Ruth and I have also named Healdsburg Jazz as a beneficiary of our estates. Legacy giving is a meaningful way we can help ensure the organization’s future so we can continue to build community and offer the music and cultural enrichment we all love and appreciate.

A legacy gift donated through your will, trust, or other assets to Healdsburg Jazz is a powerful way to ensure your love of music lives on for generations to come. It also makes good financial sense. You can consult a financial professional or explore Legacy Giving to Healdsburg Jazz here.

The Board and staff of Healdsburg Jazz are deeply grateful to all of our donors, sponsors and patrons for their generous support. Together, we can keep this music and our mission going!

– Jack Raineault, Healdsburg Jazz Board Chair