Your Act of Generosity
Supports Our Longevity
With planned giving, you can provide long-lasting support for Wittenberg University while enjoying financial benefits for yourself.
With planned giving, you can provide long-lasting support for Wittenberg University while enjoying financial benefits for yourself.
You may be looking for a way to make a significant gift to help further our mission. A bequest is a gift made through your will or trust. It is one of the most popular and flexible ways that you can support our cause.
You are at: Planned Giving > Gift Options > Donor Stories
Naming Wittenberg University as irrevocable beneficiary of an insurance policy is an appealing estate planning option that provides tax benefits to you during your lifetime and supports Wittenberg upon your death.
Here's how it works: After giving Wittenberg ownership of the policy, you make a tax-deductible gift each year to The Wittenberg Fund in the amount of the annual premium payment. The university is responsible for paying the premiums and keeping the policy current. Upon your death, Wittenberg receives the payout, applying it toward a purpose you have specified.
Many donors find this type of gift vehicle to be a manageable way to provide generously for Wittenberg and, at the same time, to leave a legacy in perpetuity by establishing an endowed fund or scholarship in their own name or in honor or memory of a loved one.
Alumni Bob and Beth Rilling Baer, class of 1961, made such an arrangement before returning to Wittenberg's campus to celebrate their 50th reunion last fall. To commemorate their golden reunion, the Baers named their alma mater as beneficiary of a $250,000 policy. They designated the payout be added to the John and Mary Catherine Rilling Endowed Scholarship Fund, a scholarship established several years ago by the Baers and Beth's sister Jane '65 and husband Wayne '64 Dawson to honor Beth and Jane's parents.
By making this irrevocable gift, not only was the face amount of the policy counted toward the Class of 1961's 50th reunion gift to the university, but the Baers will enjoy an annual tax advantage and, by increasing the principal of their fund, will provide for additional Rilling Scholarship awards in the future.
A charitable gift annuity is a great way you can make a gift to our organization and benefit. You transfer your cash or property to our organization and we promise to make fixed payments to you for life at a rate based on your age.
An IRA rollover allows people age 70½ and older to reduce their taxable income by making a gift directly from their IRA.
You are at: Planned Giving > Gift Options > Donor Stories