Gifts that create opportunities for the future

Will or trust bequests
Gifts made through your will or trust, called bequests, enable you to retain total control of your assets during your lifetime and determine the distribution of your assets upon your death. A gift designated through your will can establish a scholarship or partnered with a memorial can fund a scholarship, campus beautification project, or a campaign initiative. A revocable will or trust is the most effective way to make a major gift commitment.

IRAs and other qualified plans
If you wish to defer your charitable gifts until the time of death, the best assets to use may be your IRA's, employer-sponsored retirement plans, annuities or other assets upon which income tax has been deferred. By using such assets for charitable gifts, the accrued income tax is avoided.

Life insurance
There are many ways to make a gift to Butler through life insurance. You may change the beneficiary of an existing policy. This will not provide an income tax deduction, but you will retain ownership of the policy. You may also purchase and donate a new or existing policy, and transfer ownership to the Butler Foundation. The contract's values and premiums, given to Butler, may qualify for an income tax deduction. Upon your death, the insurance proceeds go to the purpose you designated.

Retained life estate
You may transfer ownership of a personal residence or farm to the Butler Foundation while retaining the right to use the property during your lifetime. This is an excellent way to support Butler, receive income tax deductions and retain the enjoyment of your property for life.
Because you transfer ownership of the property to the Foundation, you receive an immediate charitable income tax deduction. The amount of your deduction is the value of Butler's future interest in the property. You benefit from the charitable deduction, but in most cases you continue to be responsible for maintenance and property taxes.

As with any gift, removing this property from your estate can lower your estate taxes and probate costs.