T
he newest honor for MNU’s donors covers a giving cat- Gift plans can be structured in a number of ways:
egory that’s been a cornerstone of growth since the 1970s.
The Cornerstone Society was established earlier this year
• Bequests through a will or revocable living trust
by the MNU Foundation to recognize those donors who have
designation
included MidAmerica in their deferred or estate plans. Jason
• a qualified retirement plan that includes MNU as a
Drummond, Executive Director for the MNU Foundation, says
beneficiary
the honor is overdue because of the major impact estate gifts • a Charitable Gift Annuity that provides lifetime
can, and have had, on MNU’s growth. income
“When donors include us in their deferred or estate gift plan- • a Charitable Remainder Trust
ning, they are making a powerful statement about their faith in
• a life insurance policy that designates MNU as a
the future of MNU and their commitment to providing a qual-
beneficiary or has policy ownership assignment
ity Christian education that benefits young men and women for
generations to come,” Drummond says.
• Gifts of farms and homes.
Membership in the Cornerstone Society is open to anyone “Donors at all levels can use their estate plans to not only
who has included MidAmerica in their estate plan, regardless provide for loved ones, but also to pass on their values,” Kee-
of the size of the gift. Associate Vice President Tim Keeton ton says, “ and it creates a legacy of generosity in support of
notes that many previous gifts to MNU were “planned gifts,” MidAmerica’s students.”
although donors were not typically recognized publicly for pro-
Looking back on MNU’s history, it’s easy to see the footprint
viding that kind of gift. The growth of financial planning and
of planned giving. The charter members of the Society include
the desire to make tax-wise gifts that provide a lasting legacy
74 individuals. Keeton expects others to follow their leadership
has contributed to the growth of such gift arrangements.
example.
Keeton says the many forms of planned giving also contrib-
Cornerstone Society members receive the following benefits:
ute to their popularity.
• knowledge that such gifts prepare the way for new
students to attend MNU.
• an invitation to Cornerstone Society events
• a meaningful memento in honor of the commitment,
suitable for display in home or office
18 | Accent magazine | Fall 2009
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