He quietly built a $13 million fortune. In death, he gave it all away.

Emmy Hildebrand, the executive director of an Indianapolis-based nonprofit, received a seemingly suspicious email offering a donation. However, upon investigation, she found that the sender, Dwayne Isaacs, was a legitimate lawyer representing the estate of a man named Terry Kahn. 

Kahn, who had quietly amassed a fortune through income, investing, and frugality, passed away at 77. The coexecutors of his estate distributed over $13 million to various nonprofits in Indianapolis, including those supporting teachers, domestic violence victims, and veterans and their families.

For more information see Jonathan Edwards “He quietly built a $13 million fortune. In death, he gave it all away”, The Washington Post, December 21, 2023.

Special thanks to Joel C. Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this article to my attention.