Ways to Support the TKE Educational Foundation

Bequests

Since a bequest is a gift made through your will, you retain full control of your assets during your life. Bequests may specify a designated sum of money, be stated as a percentage of your estate or provide that the residual of your estate (everything left after specific desires are satisfied) be directed to the Foundation. Bequests may also provide for the transfer of real estate, stocks and bonds or other valuable personal property to the Foundation.

Cash Gifts
This is the most common method used in giving to the Foundation. Cash gifts of any size are welcomed any time and may be in response to the Foundation's annual fund drive or the Centennial Endowment Campaign, in tribute to another Frater or your chapter, in honor of a family member or to support a specific Foundation program. If you itemize deductions on your tax return, an outright donation of cash is fully deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Corporate Matching Gifts
Many corporations have established matching gift programs whereby they will match any gift made by an employee to a qualified charitable organization. The philosophy for many companies is that the most effective way to use corporate charitable dollars is in support of the interests of their employees. To find out if your employer has such a program, contact your company's human services office which usually deals with corporate giving activities.

Gift of Securities
Contributions in the form of stock, bonds or other securities which have appreciated in value since purchase can have significant tax benefits for the donor. You not only receive a tax deduction for the full value of the gift, but also avoid capital gains taxes on the appreciated value portion. Stock or securities should not be sold by you, rather sent to the Foundation properly endorsed with a certificate of transfer.

Memorial Gifts
Memorial gifts in tribute to Fraters who have entered the Chapter Eternal are an excellent way to honor their lifetime involvement and contributes to Tau Kappa Epsilon. Such gifts can be a means to memorialize close friendships or recognize alumni achievements on behalf of the Fraternity. The families of those so honored are informed of your thoughtfulness and you receive acknowledgement of your gift.

Gift of Real Property
This type of gift may offer the greatest tax advantages to the donor. A gift of appreciated property during your lifetime generally qualifies for tax deductibility and avoids the capital gains tax on the recognized profit. It is also possible to transfer such assets and still retain use of the property for life. Any acceptance of real property requires the approval of the Foundation Board of Directors.

Gifts of Life Insurance
The gift of life insurance can be a remarkable asset that requires a relatively small dollar investment in premium payments by you during your lifetime, but results in a relatively large future benefit for the Foundation. The Foundation can be named as owner of the policy and as such the premiums paid qualify as a tax deductible gift or an existing policy can name the Foundation as the beneficiary. Benefits paid from such policies not only generate a substantial gift to the Foundation, but are not taxable as a part of your estate.

Gifts by Credit Card
This is more a means to giving, rather than a manner of gift. Your donation by credit card basically qualifies as a cash gift with full immediate tax deductibility. It provides convenience to those who desire to make a gift at a particular time without having to have cash to do it. The TKE VISA Card is another way to make a credit card gift and have the Foundation receive additional support through its affinity program.

Trust Arrangement Gifts
Charitable remainder trusts are arrangements through which you would place assets into a trust that pays an income for as long as you live, with the Foundation as the ultimate beneficiary of the trust property. There are different options available, such as receiving a fixed annuity or a variable annuity. A financial advisor should be consulted anytime there may be a consideration of setting up such arrangements.

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT or ACH Transaction)
Electronic Funds Transfers or Automatic Clearing House Transactions provide for automatic deductions from your checking account on a monthly basis for authorized pledged donation amounts to the TKE Educational Foundation. Smaller amounts deducted each month can enable a donor to increase the size of his total support for the year. A record of monthly giving appears on each bank statement. It's convenient for the donor and saves administrative costs for the Foundation.

United Way Donor Option
Most United Ways have established Donor Options Plans. It's a means by which employees, who are "encouraged" to support their employer's United Way Campaign, can designate workplace payroll deductions or one-time donations for other than United Way member agencies, such as the TKE Educational Foundation. Donor Option forms need to be requested by the donor and follow up of the gift designation is important to be sure the donor's wishes are fulfilled.