Jerry Thoma & Meg Auth
Meg Auth is an artist. Her husband, Jerry Thoma, calls himself “something of a musician”. They both value generosity. They both support different nonprofit organizations.
They both use the Community Foundation to fuel their philanthropy.
Thoma was instrumental in launching The Music Village in South Bend from the very beginning. He’s continued to support TMV — among others — ever since, watching them outgrow one space, move into their current location, and then launch a capital campaign to expand and improve their facility.
“It’s exciting to see where it started and where it’s gotten to today,” said Thoma.
Auth has interests all her own. A long-time supporter of the South Bend Museum of Art and Unity Gardens, Auth has found that giving through the Community Foundation is an easy and effective way for her and Thoma to multiply their impact.
Most recently, Auth and Thoma opened Charitable Gift Annuities to support the Foundation’s Community Endowment Fund. The annuities will generate dependable lifelong income for the couple, and thanks to matching funds from Lilly Endowment Inc., they’ll provide multiplied impact for local nonprofits.
“There’s no need to be independent philanthropists when the Foundation covers all the things we’re doing,” said Thoma.