Leave a Legacy at ENMU

One person's gift can inspire generations to come.
Throughout the years, many individuals have been inspired by philanthropic ideals and have chosen to advance knowledge and transform lives. Through their commitment and support, these benefactors take part in shaping the future of the University. Regardless of the size of your estate, what has been accumulated is a testimony to your life, your hard work, your central values and commitments. What is transferred to the next generation, and how it is done, can accurately reflect your vision and goals.

In reviewing the planned giving options outlined here, you may be surprised to discover ways to contribute to ENMU, while not adversely affecting your financial security or that of loved ones. To learn more about including the ENMU Foundation in your estate plan contact Noelle Bartl, Executive Director, at 575.562.2412.

Heritage Society
The Heritage Society pays tribute to those individuals who have made planned gifts for the ultimate benefit of the University. All individuals who notify the University of a deferred gift, naming the ENMU Foundation as a beneficiary, are eligible for membership in the Heritage Society.

• Gifts of Life Insurance
  To make a major gift without a major expense to you, assign ownership of a whole life insurance policy to the ENMU Foundation or irrevocably name the ENMU Foundation as your beneficiary. The gift may be a paid up policy, an existing policy with cash value, or a new policy.

• Life Income Gifts
  According to a living trust, you may be able to make a significant future gift to ENMU while providing yourself with immediate tax savings and additional income for life.

• Retirement Plan and IRAs
  For many donors, qualified plans and IRAs have become a disproportionably large part of their overall assets. The charitable bequest of qualified plans or IRAs may provide the opportunity for significant tax savings. The gift of a qualified plan or IRA is one of the most complex types of gifts. The ENMU Foundation suggests that if a donor is interested in this type of gift, that the donor contact and work with the donor's financial advisor, accountant, or lawyer. If you are 70 1/2 years old or older, please contact us for ways to save make tax-free or reduced tax donations.

• Gifts by Will
  You may be able to contribute much more to the University by naming the ENMU Foundation in your will than would be possible with an outright gift. You may fund such a gift with cash, marketable securities, real estate, tangible property, or closely held stock.

• Bequests
  By providing for the Foundation in a will, you can make a substantial contribution without diminishing assets during your lifetime. Since bequests are deductible from an estate, there is also the potential for significant tax savings.

Retained Interest Gifts

• Charitable Gift Annuities
  With a simple contractual agreement, a donor can establish an educational endowment fund benefiting a particular area of interest and receive a guaranteed lifetime income. With a minimum gift of $10,000, a donor receives guaranteed quarterly income payments for the rest of his life. Annuity rates can be offered for one or two people and range from 4.8 percent to 12 percent depending on the age and number of income recipients. Gifts of cash, securities, real estate or other appreciated property can be used to fund a gift annuity. There are no start-up fees, the donor qualifies for a substantial charitable tax deduction and capital gains taxes can be reduced and spread over a number of years.
  
  For example, Paul is a 76-year-old graduate of ENMU. He owns some highly appreciated but low-yielding stock. He can increase his income from the stock and benefit ENMU at the same time. In exchange for $20,000 worth of stock, the ENMU Foundation could guarantee him an eight percent fixed annuity on his gift – $1,600 per year for the rest of his life. In addition, he could claim an $8,330 income tax charitable deduction and spread capital gains tax over a number of years. He can sign a fund description detailing how he would like the income from the remaining principal from his gift to be used to benefit ENMU students after his death.

• Deferred Gift Annuities
  By establishing a deferred gift annuity now and directing the quarterly payments to begin after one's 65th birthday, a donor can enhance retirement income substantially and receive a larger charitable deduction.
  
  For example, Maureen is a 55-year-old graduate of ENMU. She wants to supplement her retirement income, to claim an income tax charitable tax deduction now while she's better able to use it and to help ENMU students. If she puts $20,000 into a deferred gift annuity now, her current income tax deduction would be $7,777. When she is 65, the annuity will begin paying her $2,320 each year for life – a return of 11.6 percent. After her death, the income from the remaining principal will be used to help the students Maureen had hoped to assist.

• Pooled Life Income Funds
  Because gifts to these funds are invested jointly in a large investment pool similar to a mutual fund, yearly income generated from the funds is shared proportionately among participants. A donor would: incur no capital gains taxes on the transfer of appreciated long-term securities, receive a charitable deduction for a portion of the gift, and receive a lifetime income. The minimum gift is $5,000. The fund may be designated for any purpose at the University.

• Charitable Remainder Trusts
  With an irrevocable trust, a donor or a loved one can receive a fixed annual income or an income that varies with the value of the trust. At the death of the last income beneficiary, the assets in the trust are distributed to the Foundation to be used as designated by the donor. Trusts may be funded by gifts of cash, securities or real estate and can frequently help donors solve a particular problem or meet an important objective:

  • To increase income through the conversion of low yielding or non-yielding
    highly appreciated assets.
    
  • To generate a significant income tax charitable deduction and/or reduce
    potential estate tax exposure.
    
  • To diversify an investment portfolio with professional management.
    
  • To reduce or eliminate capital gains tax exposure.
    

• Charitable Lead Trust
  This method of giving can extend for a term of years or for a lifetime. Income is paid to the Foundation each year during the life of the trust. When the trust terminates, the assets revert to the donor or another beneficiary. As a donor, one is exposed to reduced gift and estate taxes because the assets placed in the trust may appreciate over time, but the appreciation is not subject to further gift or estate tax when the trust terminates.

Donor-Advised Funds

A convenient, cost-effective alternative to running a private family foundation, a donor-advised fund lets the donor consolidate charitable giving to ENMU as well as to other worthy causes of one's choosing. Upon making an irrevocable gift to the Fund, the donor receives a tax deduction that year and may recommend that grants be made to the University and other charities. A donor can start a Donor-Advised Fund with a minimum of $10,000. (Contrast this with the $250,000 to $500,000 needed to start a private family foundation.) We suggest that at least half of the principal, income and appreciation of a Fund benefit ENMU.

Prospective donors are encouraged to consult with their legal and financial advisors concerning charitable gift programs and their personal financial and estate plans. The Foundation staff is available to assist prospective donors and their advisors regarding charitable gift opportunities.

More Information

For more information, please contact Noelle Bartl, call 575.562.2412 or write to

ENMU Foundation
ENMU Station 8
1500 S Ave K
Portales, NM 88130