THE LEGACY GUILD

A legacy is a gift passed on to benefit the future. From parents to children, from one generation to the next, legacies of assets, but also values, are the building blocks of the future. A gift of a future interest, a planned gift, to the UW-L Foundation is a legacy that tells others that you support the work and share the values of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

A planned gift is a commitment that will benefit the University in the future, such as gifts through wills, retirement plans, living trusts, life insurance policies, charitable annuities and trusts, a pooled income fund or a remainder interest in real estate. These are described in greater detail at Types of Planned Gifts.

The Legacy Guild is an informal organization to recognize those alumni and friends whose interest and belief in the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse has led them to make a planned gift to the UW-L Foundation. A person can become a member of the Legacy Guild when the Foundation receives written notification of their planned gift. This can be as simple as returning an appropriate response card from a Foundation mailing, writing a letter to the Foundation revealing the gift plan, sharing a copy of the will or other documents with the Foundation or requesting a personal meeting with a Foundation representative to discuss gift plans.

In making any type of planned or major gift, consultation with your tax, financial and legal advisors is essential. Involving a Foundation professional is also a good idea. You may contact us and be assured that all gifts plans are strictly confidential unless a donor specifically authorizes the release of information. To make sure that your gift goes solely for the benefit of UW-La Crosse, it is important and essential that your documents designate the UW-L Foundation as the charitable recipient.

Legacy Guild members are invited to an annual recognition event held with other university and Foundation leaders and donors. They also receive the Foundation's planned giving newsletter, The Planning Companion, as well as a pin with the Legacy Guild symbol. The symbol is a growing tree. Its gift of shade and comfort represents the legacy of one generation to the next, the legacy of the history and traditions of our University.

For more information about the Legacy Guild, go to Planned Giving Publications and request a copy of our Foundation's brochure, Legacy Guild: Securing a Vision.

THE WHY AND IMPORTANCE OF PLANNED GIVING
Planned and major gifts from generous alumni and friends are essential to the healthy future of the University. These gifts represent the larger steps, the more substantial commitments toward maintaining the margin of excellence at UW-L. Planned and Major Gifts are intended to supplement, not replace, annual giving, as well as enhance other UW-L efforts in advancement and alumni activities, including the Annual Fund.

The efforts to encourage and obtain these gifts are built upon the belief that voluntary private support of public higher education at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse must protect the best interests of the individual donor as well as faithfully promote the mission and priorities of the University itself. All volunteers and staff members engaged in the planned and major gifts program subscribe to the Code of Ethical Principles, Standards of Professional Practice and Donors' Bill of Rights of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives (NSFRE) and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

Planned and Major Gifts offer donors the opportunity to:

• express their support for the University, beyond annual giving, by making a special commitment from personal assets;

• create larger gifts through careful and thoughtful financial, estate, tax and charitable gift planning;

• make immediate or deferred gifts yet retain the option for a lifetime income for themselves or another beneficiary;

• establish a fund such as a scholarship or other type of fund in their name or as a memorial or honor for another;

• encourage others directly and by example to recognize the importance of engaging in philanthropy and supporting UW-L;

• become involved in the life and future of a great university as well as receive recognition and personal satisfaction for a gift that will genuinely help and improve the lives of others.