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Gifts From the Heart

Sonny HaysPassionate about their alma mater, Jim and Doris Grogan are always quick to step forward when support is needed-with gifts of both time and treasure.

OU is ingrained in our lives," Jim says. "It's an accumulation of the professors, the campus life and the friends we've made for a lifetime-you become a part of the spirit and the spirit becomes a part of you."

Jim '53 and Doris '54 met on the OU campus and never really left. Longtime residents of Ottawa, the Grogans still love to be on campus and support what the students are doing today, which includes attending nearly every sporting event. Their involvement with the university's athletic programs comes naturally.

"We're a very sports-minded family," Doris explains. Both she and Jim were physical education majors, and Jim spent 18 years of his career as the assistant football coach at OU. Their younger son, Scott, graduated from OU and is in the Braves Athletic Hall of Fame. Steve, their older son, graduated from Kansas State University and played 16 years in the NFL.

The Grogans feel that if you're going to be a part of an organization, you have to be active. They do that with both financial and volunteer support. Beyond annual fund giving, they have personally set up the Jim and Doris Grogan Athletic Scholarship and have established a charitable gift annuity. This year they also serve as co-chairs of the Franklin County Campaign, helping to raise scholarship dollars for local students.

"It's expensive to go to college. It was expensive to go to college when we were kids," Jim says, "but somebody helped us. Now it's our turn to give back."

Contact Janet L. Peters at 785-248-2337 or janet.peters@ottawa.edu, for more information on how you, too, can leave a personal legacy of support for OU.

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A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Ottawa University a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

Bequest Language

"I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Ottawa University [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose." 

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to OU or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to OU as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to OU as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and OU where you agree to make a gift to OU and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

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