One of the greatest fears families face when planning for long-term care or special needs is a simple question: What happens when the money is gone?
At Alabama Family Trust, the answer is rooted in compassion, stewardship, and community.
According to AFT board member Jimmy Walsh, the Charitable Trust exists to ensure individuals are not left without support when their personal trust funds have been exhausted.
How the Charitable Trust Works
“The charitable trust—every month we look at requests for exceptional things,” Walsh explained.
Unlike traditional trust accounts that rely solely on an individual’s own funds, the Charitable Trust is supported by resources left behind by beneficiaries who have passed away. Those funds are carefully collected, managed, and then used to help others who come after them.
It’s a powerful cycle of giving—one family’s legacy becoming another person’s lifeline.
Meeting Exceptional Needs
The Charitable Trust is used for needs that go beyond what government benefits like Medicaid will cover—items that can dramatically improve quality of life.
“One I remember recently was a specially designed wheelchair that would stand and sit the person as well,” Walsh said. Read about Cedric Harris’ use of the Charitable Trust for an electric wheelchair after a motorcycle accident here.
For the individual who received it, the impact was immediate and profound.
“We got follow-ups from him about how delighted he was and how much it had changed his life,” Walsh shared. “That was a big deal.”
Board Oversight and Responsible Care
Requests to the Charitable Trust are reviewed monthly by the Alabama Family Trust board. Each request is carefully considered, ensuring funds are used responsibly and in ways that truly benefit the individual.
This process reflects AFT’s commitment to stewardship—honoring the generosity of those whose funds made the Charitable Trust possible, while meeting real and meaningful needs.
A Safety Net Rooted in Dignity
The Charitable Trust provides reassurance to families who worry about the future. Even if personal resources are exhausted, Alabama Family Trust continues to walk alongside individuals, helping them maintain dignity, comfort, and independence.
It’s another way Alabama Family Trust is different — not just managing funds but building a community of care that lasts beyond one lifetime.
Through the Charitable Trust, lives are changed, legacies live on, and compassion continues —one exceptional need at a time.
Watch a video about how AFT changed Cedric’s life, here.
