Paying it Back — A Grant That Touched My Life

About ten years ago, I suffered a major financial setback as a result of an illness and other personal issues. I literally felt like I was at the end of my rope and did not know where to turn.

I had been reading an issue of the Quarterly and saw information about the SIS Grant program* and wondered if the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation would really be able to help me.

I was blessed to receive a grant from the Foundation shortly after my application — and when I say it was a blessing, that is a gross understatement. The gift of your generosity brought me out of a very dark financial place and I vowed that somehow, someday I'd be able to pay it back or even pay it forward.

A few years later I found myself transferred to another city where I immediately sought out the alumnae chapter, making lifelong friends with the Alpha Gams I met. I'm proud to serve as an officer, and I find my life as an alumna enriching and impactful.

In preparing for IRD this spring, I was struck by the theme, "Experiences of a Lifetime." No doubt sisters embraced that theme in many different ways. For me, I will cherish my collegiate experiences as well as look forward to the many experiences I will have with my fellow alumnae. The word lifetime truly sums it up.

I would need several lifetimes to show my gratitude to the Fraternity for abundant sisterhood and the Foundation for its profound generosity. Since I only have one (lifetime, that is), I have decided to give a gift to the Foundation by naming it as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy.

I don't recall who helped me with the SIS grant many years ago, and I won't be around to know who might benefit from my gift but I do know that loving, generous, amazing Alpha Gamma Delta sisters will be reaching out with a helping hand to help sisters in need, like me.

Loyally and with love,
An Alpha Gam Sister

*Our SIS Grant program is confidential and provides grants to sisters with emergency financial need due to natural disasters, domestic violence or other catastrophic events in their lives. Thank you to this sister for her willingness to share her letter and story in hopes that others will join her as a member of the Corinthian Society.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation 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

"I give to the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 8710 N Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260, or its successor thereto, ______________ [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 the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation 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 the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation 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 the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation 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 the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation where you agree to make a gift to the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation 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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