John Dodge and Anne Dooley Continue the Family Tradition
of Giving to Support AJH

John Dodge’s family connections to the economic and social history of Newburyport, and to Anna Jaques Hospital (AJH), are long and deep. His forbearers were heavily involved in the development of the city's once thriving shoe industry. Many of the factories they built have been repurposed for housing and commercial use. John was a journalist for 39 years, writing and editing for PC Week, The Boston Globe, and The Wall Street Journal, retiring in 2015. He started his newspaper career at The Newburyport News in the mid-’70s.

John’s prolific ancestors were involved in every aspect of business, political, social, religious, and civic life in Newburyport. His great-great-grandfather, shoe manufacturer John L. Dodge, along with his four brothers, collectively helped build the community’s middle class. One brother, Elisha Perkins Dodge, was an original trustee of Anna Jaques Hospital. Milton L. Dodge, John’s grandfather, was instrumental in the AJH building expansion in the 1960s and ’70s. His nearby Toppan's Lane Farm was sold to AJH for future expansion in 1979.

John, now 70, was born at Anna Jaques and lived across the street for his first seven years. He and his wife, Ann Dooley, also a journalist, first met while they worked for competing publications. Together they raised two children in West Newbury and are now enjoying the opportunity to travel and pursue other interests in retirement.

Each give back to their community. John is chairman of the West Newbury Open Space Committee, and Ann served as a trustee of the G.A.R. Memorial Library and is on the board of the Community Giving Tree—which helps children in need in Essex and Middlesex Counties. She is also active in the Actor's Studio of Newburyport.

When approached to consider a donation to the AJH Stepping Forward Campaign, John and Ann consulted a financial advisor to understand their options. They chose to make a tax-free direct charitable transfer to AJH from his individual retirement account (IRA). By making this direct transfer, referred to as an IRA charitable rollover gift, the Dodges use pre-tax dollars to make a charitable donation. As a result, there are no negative tax consequences for them and AJH receives 100% of their intended contribution. Their preferred gift vehicle is a smart tax-planning strategy. If the Dodges were to withdraw funds from the IRA and then make a charitable gift, the withdrawal would be subject to taxation.

For John and Ann, who are concerned about the future of healthcare in our community, the choice was simple. They understand that the hospital needs community support to thrive in today’s dynamic environment and sought advice on the most efficient way to accomplish this.