The Milligan Family Fund

A Meaningful Start at CFGNB

On her very first day as President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, Kaylah Milligan and her husband Ryan Milligan established their own donor advised fund at the Community Foundation. Through this step, they showed a shared belief in generosity, leadership, and long-term community impact.

Sitting together in the CFGNB lobby, Kaylah and Ryan Milligan announced the creation of the Milligan Family Fund, which began with an initial gift of one thousand dollars. They plan to contribute an additional one thousand dollars each year until the fund reaches five thousand dollars. Once fully funded, the Milligan Family Fund will be able to make grants that support nonprofit organizations in perpetuity.

Kaylah explains that “At the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, our goal is to make philanthropy accessible to everyone. You can start your own fund at CFGNB for as little as $5,000 and also having the optional benefit to build it up over time. Building our fund allows us to still manage our finances and, at the same time, create legacy sooner rather than later.”

Ryan spoke with pride about Kaylah’s choice to start the fund on her very first day, “Kaylah is not only talking the talk, but she is walking the walk, and I am very proud to be a part of it.”

Giving as a Family Tradition

For Kaylah and Ryan, this fund is more than a financial contribution. It is a way of teaching their children about community responsibility. Kaylah laughed as she shared that when she told her son she was taking this job as President and CEO, he was disappointed because he wanted her to be a race car driver instead. Over time, she hopes he and her other children will see how meaningful community work can be and how rewarding it is to be involved.

The Milligan family plans to involve their children by naming them as advisors to the fund, giving them a hands-on way to learn how families can work together to support others and make a lasting positive impact. Ryan shares, “One of the things I am most excited about, with starting the fund, is showing how you can give back with the kids. Having them named as advisors will be instructive and exciting for them, and I think it’s a great thing to do as a family.” Kaylah adds that even though they do not live in the Greater New Britain area, CFGNB makes it possible for their fund to support any nonprofit anywhere in the United States, opening up their possibilities and flexibility with the fund.

When the Milligan family is no longer advising the fund, the Milligan Family Fund will transition into a field of interest fund supporting mental illness and addiction services. As Kaylah explains, “Once Ryan, Theo, Maya and I are no longer able to distribute these funds, we can trust the Community Foundation to guide the decisions and direct support to the organizations and programs in our priority areas that need it most.”

New Tax Law Changes in 2026 and What They Mean for Donors

The Milligans’ decision to start their fund also comes at a timely moment for charitable giving. Starting in 2026, federal tax rules are changing in ways that may make giving even more accessible. Taxpayers who take the standard deduction can now claim a limited deduction for cash donations to qualified charities. Individuals who do not itemize can deduct up to one thousand dollars, and couples filing jointly can deduct up to two thousand dollars.

While the Milligans’ motivation is rooted in generosity rather than tax savings, these changes highlight one of the benefits of giving through CFGNB. By starting a fund, families can make a lasting impact and take advantage of these new opportunities, whether they are contributing now or planning gifts for the future. CFGNB can help guide donors in making giving choices that align with their goals and values.

A Strong Message for the Community

The Milligan Family Fund is about leadership, family, and generosity. It shows what it means to step into a role and immediately live your values. Kaylah and Ryan hope their example encourages others to think about how they can give and be part of something bigger than themselves.

If you have ever thought about starting a fund or supporting the causes you care about, today is a great day to explore how you can make a difference through the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain.

Find out how you can start a fund or support your community!