Here are some common questions asked about the Good Shepherd Fund. If you have a question that is not answered here, email us and we'll get back to you with the answers you need.

1. What is the Good Shepherd Fund?
2. How is the Fund governed?
3. What are the Fund’s Core Values?
4. What does the Good Shepherd Fund do?
5. How can I help?
6. How can I get help with estate planning?
7. How can I plan adequately for my child with disabilities?
8. How does a letter of intent help me plan for my child with disabilities?


1. What is The Good Shepherd Fund?

The Good Shepherd Fund is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation, based in California. It was founded in 1970.




2. How is the Fund governed?

The Good Shepherd Fund is governed by a 13-member Board of Trustees. All Trustees serve as volunteers. Individuals currently serving on the Board include the following areas of expertise: legal, banking, real estate finance, investment, business, church administration, engineering, executive coaching, and technology. A number of Trustees have a family member with developmental disabilities. An Executive Director manages the Fund.




3. What are the Fund’s Core Values?

We are dedicated to serving.
We value each person and family.
We are accountable to those we serve.
We are accountable for resources.
We serve with care.




4. What does the Good Shepherd Fund do?

The Fund acts as trustee of special needs trusts, including “d(4)(C)” special needs trusts, for individuals with developmental disabilities and other related disabilities for beneficiaries living in the Western United States.

The Fund also acts as court-appointed conservator or guardian for the individuals with developmental disabilities in Colorado, California, and Oregon.

The Fund assists families with the estate planning process, particularly planning for special needs trusts for individuals with developmental disabilites.




5. How can I help?

The Good Shepherd Fund receives no governmental or foundation funding. We depend entirely on fee-based income and the generosity of individual contributors to provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. There's more information here.




6. How can I get help with estate planning?

The Fund provides assistance with estate planning particularly relating to special needs trusts. Contact Rev. Dr. Ron Beckman.




7. How can I plan adequately for my child with disabilities?

It does take extra care and planning and consultations with one’s attorney to adequately provide for a child with disabilities. An inheritance left directly to the child may disqualify her/him from a host of means-tested government programs. The alternative is a special needs trust which provides income for the ”extras” of life - travel, therapy, or dental expenses for example.




8. How does a letter of intent help me plan for my child with disabilities?

A Letter of Intent is a document written by you, the parents, (or other member of the family), that describes your son or daughter’s history, his or her current status, and the hopes and dreams you have for him or her in the future. To the maximum extent possible, it is a good idea to involve your child in the writing of this Letter, so it truly represents the strengths of your child, goals and supports needed now and in the future.

Even though the Letter of Intent is not a legal document, the courts, guardian, trustee of a Special Needs Trust, case managers and others can rely upon the Letter for guidance in understanding your son or daughter and the wishes you, the parents, have for him or her. In this way, you can continue to “speak out” on behalf of your son or daughter, providing valuable insight and knowledge about his or her own best possible care. The Letter of Intent is a crucial part of any life or estate plan, because it speaks both for and about the person with a disability and his or her family. The Good Shepherd Fund provides additional information and materials to assist families in creating Letters of Intent for the benefit of their child.