“To have gotten to the point where we are now able to give back this much, I sometimes can’t believe it,” says Varla Knauss, who together with her husband, Curt, recently pledged a second estate gift to Hoag.
Neither Curt nor Varla came from wealth. Both left home at 17 and worked tirelessly through their early years—babysitting, cabinetmaking, and taking on every opportunity to learn, earn, and save. Through perseverance, frugality, and disciplined financial planning, they each eventually built successful careers in financial services.
Their connection to Hoag spans more than a decade, and their commitment continues to grow. This year, their new estate gift to Hoag Innovators—a group of philanthropists dedicated to catalyzing innovation at Hoag—reflects their deep belief in giving back and supporting world-class care in their community.
Why Hoag? Curt recalls friends whose lives were saved due to proximity to high-quality medical care. When Curt’s family received care at Hoag, the couple saw firsthand the hospital’s dedication and breadth of services.
The Knausses’ value that sense of connection and the ongoing opportunities to learn about Hoag’s programs, research, and innovations. “Hoag brought us in and made us family,” says Varla.
Their latest gift supports the Hoag Innovators Endowment, a program designed to fund pioneering technology and research initiatives. The Hoag Innovators meet twice a year to hear pitches for forward-thinking projects directly from Hoag clinicians. The Knausses were impressed by presentations on new medical devices that demonstrated both innovation and compassion in care.
“The Innovators program is such a unique idea. Doctors know what technology will make a difference, and we get to help bring it here,” says Curt. For the Knausses, participation in Innovators and other Hoag events is about more than giving—it’s an education in cutting-edge care, a chance to learn from physicians, and a way to see their philanthropy directly impact patients’ lives.
The Knausses’ philanthropy began by reflecting on their values and after engaging with Hoag for many years, they were inspired to increase their support substantially. They encourage others to consider the impact of philanthropic giving. Their approach balances meaningful support for family with lasting contributions to causes they care about. Through their generosity, the Knausses’ are ensuring that Hoag continues to innovate, educate, and provide world-class care close to home.
Estate Planning Insight: “Win-Win-Win”
For Curt and Varla Knauss, thoughtful estate planning has been the key to creating a meaningful legacy. Varla worked as a CPA specializing in estate planning. As she puts it, giving can be a “win-win-win”—a way to provide for yourself, your family, and your community all at once.
Through tools like a charitable remainder trust:
1. Donors make a charitable contribution to the trust. They get a tax deduction and, if they funded the trust with appreciated assets, do not pay capital gains tax upon the transfer or sale of the property.
2. The trust pays a stream of income to the donors and/or loved ones during life—providing a cushion in retirement.
3. At the end of the term, the gift comes to Hoag to support the areas the donors designate.
While you can save more taxes when you gift appreciated assets, such as stock or real estate, you can also fund a life income gift with cash that might otherwise sit in savings—making this a flexible option for many donors.
The Knausses’ approach reflects a simple truth: Estate planning is more than a financial decision—it’s a chance to align your values with your legacy.
