Stories that inspire

Kees van Draanen grew up in a family where faith and mutual support were important values. His parents gave time and money to causes that were close to their hearts. He has continued to hold these values dear, and feels that even if someone is not wealthy, “one has a responsibility to share when one can.”

Mr. van Draanen has been involved in the arts since his youth, and made his career in the field as well. He believes that “everyone should have the opportunity to experience extraordinary moments in concert halls, theatres, art galleries, etc.” So that is where he has chosen to lend his support; he sits on several boards of directors of arts organizations, he participated in HEC Montréal’s mentorship program for cultural managers, and he provides financial support to the arts.

“I believe that the arts are a basic good – they make us human, especially when we are sharing something. I know artists, I know their work, and I know how much time and money you have to invest before you can produce something that is worth seeing on stage or in a gallery, read in a book, viewed in a movie theatre, anything.”

While reflecting on what legacy he could leave after his passing, Mr. van Draanen decided to create a philanthropic fund. Launched in 2019, the Fonds Ars Longa – Vita Brevis supports the arts.

“The creation of my own fund at FGM gives me the opportunity to decide exactly who can benefit from my legacy after my passing. Yes, one could also arrange this through a will, but a fund is more flexible because I can change the distribution, or add or remove beneficiaries at any time just by sending an email. I don’t need to go to the notary’s, and there are no fees involved. I can contribute to my fund whenever I want to, and in doing so I increase the capital, receive a tax credit, and am able to distribute more significant funding to the organizations I support. FGM takes care of managing the fund. The rate of return is solid, so that is one less thing to worry about. What’s more, I know what FGM’s values are, I endorse them, and I sense that the money deposited in my fund has already had positive impacts.”

Mr. van Draanen has also joined the FGM Ambassadors’ Network, which aims to make the Foundation’s services and their benefits more widely known, thus further increasing its impact in the Greater Montreal community.

 “A philanthropic fund is an effective tool, but one that is still not well known. It helps you optimize your financial and estate planning, and your charitable giving, all at once. By being a part of FGM’s Ambassadors’ Network, I hope to contribute to a better understanding of the advantages of this method of giving, for those who donate as well as for the organizations who benefit from it. I also want to demonstrate that you don’t need to be wealthy to develop the capacity to support the causes you hold dear.”