Planned Giving Booklet

Create Your Legacy

A Guide to Charitable Planning

Meet Our Staff

At Jacksonville State University, we are a community of innovators, knowledge-seekers and groundbreakers.

With programs spanning the arts and sciences, education, health sciences, business and social sciences, our educational opportunities allow our students, faculty, staff, and alumni to tackle today’s toughest problems—and transform the future. Through the support of individuals like you, we can ensure our history of academic and creative excellence continues to inspire and shape generations of scholars as they become the leaders of tomorrow.

The team of dedicated professionals in the Office for Philanthropy stands ready to provide you with giving options that make the biggest impact for you personally—and for future generations. Together, we can help ensure that your support benefits your legacy and Jax State now and for years to come.

The Heritage Society

The Jax State Heritage Society honors alumni and friends who have made planned gifts to the JSU Foundation in support of Jacksonville State University. These meaningful gifts help strengthen and sustain the university’s future and “light the path” for our community—helping us think beyond, and even redefine, the possible.

As a Heritage Society member, you’ll be kept up to date on developments on campus, as well as on the university’s efforts and impact on students. You’ll also have unique opportunities to be involved with the university and receive invitations to special events and activities.

Membership in the Heritage Society allows us to recognize and celebrate your special commitment to Jax State and the impact it will have on our future. New Heritage Society members are inducted each year in October at a special membership brunch designed to thank you for your generous support of the university as part of your philanthropic plans.

To become a member, simply establish a charitable gift annuity, a charitable remainder trust, make a planned gift using your appreciated life insurance, retirement plan, or other assets, and let us know that you have or intend to include the JSU Foundation in your estate plan. You can see examples of these types of planned gifts in the following pages. We welcome all planned gifts regardless of the size. If you have already included the university in your estate plan, we hope you will let us know so we can count you as a member of this esteemed group of alumni and friends.

Create a Lasting Impact with an Estate Gift

Your estate plan offers meaningful ways to support Jax State and leave a lasting impact on education. Whether provided in your will or trust, or by beneficiary designation, estate gifts are also generally fully deductible for federal estate tax purposes. The best choice will often depend upon your unique circumstances, and because an estate gift is flexible and can be modified at any time, you can maximize your philanthropic impact while still retaining control of your assets during your lifetime.

Giving Through a Will or Trust

Remembering the JSU Foundation in your will or trust is a meaningful way to make a lasting impact, fulfill your philanthropic goals for the future, and create your legacy without impacting your assets today. You can designate a specific sum of money, a piece of property or a percentage of the remainder of your estate; you can also designate that your gift will be used to support a specific area or program about which you are passionate.

If you wish to leave a gift to the JSU Foundation to benefit the university through your will or trust, our sample language below can help your advisors implement your charitable intentions as part of your estate plan:

Sample Bequest Language

“I give to the Jacksonville State University Foundation, Inc., 700 Pelham Road, North, Jacksonville, AL 36265, an Alabama nonprofit corporation, or its successor, Federal Tax Identification Number 59-0790962, [insert specific dollar amount, description of specific property or percentage of residuary estate] to be used for [designated purpose].”

Naming the JSU Foundation as a Beneficiary

Naming the JSU Foundation as a full or partial beneficiary of your retirement assets (e.g., IRA, 401(k)), life insurance policies, bank accounts, commercial annuities or other similar assets is another way to leave a legacy gift for Jax State. Generally, this is accomplished with a simple change of beneficiary form that you can obtain from the company or financial institution managing such assets. Using these assets to fulfill your charitable goals can also reduce income and estate taxes, benefiting charity and your loved ones.

Why You Should Include a Gift to the JSU Foundation in Your Estate Plan

Does not alter your current lifestyle.

An estate gift is a way of demonstrating your commitment to Jax State and its future that does not affect your current asset balance or cash flow. There are no substantial costs, you can easily change your gift if your circumstances change, and you still maintain control over the assets during your lifetime.

Creates

a lasting legacy.

Creating or continuing a legacy with your estate gift ensures that you, and the area that you wish to impact, will live on through the work of Jax State. It demonstrates your commitment to the future of Jax State students and our community. By including the JSU Foundation in your estate plan, you help create a further testament to the values, meaning and purpose of your life.

Can take any shape.

The choices are yours. You can specify an amount of money or a certain percentage of your estate and leave it to your executor or trustee to make the arrangements. You can also leave a specific piece of property, such as a collection or a piece of real estate. If you prefer, you can specify that your gift to the JSU Foundation is made only after all of your other intended gifts are paid. In the event of any uncertainty, you can even make your estate gifts contingent on certain events occurring (or not occurring).

Can be any size.

People often think estate gifts have to be very large—but nothing could be further from the truth. Whoever you are, whatever your situation, you can help make a better world by including the university in your estate plan. The JSU Foundation accepts estate gifts of all sizes—and modest-sized gifts can make a significant difference. What matters is that your gift fits you and your family and financial circumstances. Every gift is greatly appreciated, and each one allows Jax State to improve and enrich people’s lives through the power of collaboration and education.

Creative Gift Strategies

Many of the assets you have accumulated over your lifetime can be used to make a meaningful gift to the JSU Foundation in a tax-advantageous way. For instance, using non-cash assets can save on income tax and possibly eliminate capital gains tax. Here are some examples to consider:

Stocks & Bonds

Giving appreciated securities that you have owned for more than one year is one of the most taxadvantageous ways to make a charitable gift in your lifetime. You can potentially save income tax and capital gains tax by transferring to the JSU Foundation shares of one or more publicly traded securities, such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds. The two most common ways to give publicly traded securities are:

• Make an outright gift of your securities.

• Make a gift of your securities and receive payments for life through a life income gift, such as a charitable gift annuity.

Alternatively, you may want to consider selling stock that has depreciated. The capital loss may offset your capital gains, and the charitable deduction for the contribution of cash to the JSU Foundation may be used to offset other taxable income.

Real Estate

A gift of real estate, transferred now or through your estate plan, can support Jax State while providing you with significant tax savings. A gift made during your lifetime can lighten the burden of an asset you no longer want or use, such as a second home or vacation property. You can even give us your residence now and continue to live in it for the rest of your life.

Closely Held Stock and Businesses

By making a charitable gift of shares in a closely held business, you can deduct the appraised value of the shares if you have owned them for at least one year. The Office for Philanthropy can partner with your advisors to determine the best strategy for you.

Tangible Personal Property & Collectibles

Gifts of artwork, antiques, musical instruments and other personal property can make wonderful gifts. When considering these gifts, it is important to contact us to ensure that the taxation and transfer of your valuables are handled properly.

Life Insurance

You can make a gift of a life insurance policy without diminishing other investments or assets planned for family members. It is possible to give your policy directly to the JSU Foundation and receive an immediate income tax charitable deduction for the value of your policy, or you can designate the university as a beneficiary of your policy and we will receive some or all of your policy benefit when it terminates.

Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from Your IRA

If you are at least age 70 and a half, there are tax advantages that may be associated with a lifetime gift from your IRA. A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA directly to the JSU Foundation can avoid the income tax that you would owe on a regular withdrawal, including a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).

If you are required to withdraw an RMD annually and do not need the income, your QCD gift of up to $111,000 per year (adjusted for inflation beginning in 2026) can count toward your RMD.

Recent tax legislation also permits a one-time use of a QCD (up to $55,000) to establish a charitable gift annuity, subject to some limitations.

A Gift That Pays Income Now

or in the Future

Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)

Through a JSU Foundation Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA), you can create a legacy that has a lasting impact on Jax State and future Gamecocks while receiving income for life. In exchange for your gift of cash or appreciated securities, the JSU Foundation will pay one or two people (who you designate) a fixed percentage of the gift (the annuity) for life. The amount of the annual annuity depends on the individual’s age and other factors. Typically, you name yourself and one other person (often a spouse) to receive the income; however, others may be designated. A CGA might help you:

• Plan for retirement.

• Provide supplemental support for aging parents.

• Assist financially struggling siblings.

Once the income recipients have passed away, Jax State receives the remainder of your gift to support an area of the university that is important to you.

Estimate your tax deduction, fixed income payments, and charitable contribution with our benefits calculator at jsu.edu/cga.

Minimums:

• Minimum gift: $25,000

• Recipients must be at least age 65 before payments begin.

• Payments can be deferred if the recipient is under 65.

Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)

A Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) is another life income giving vehicle. Like a CGA, a CRT pays an income stream to one or more individuals, with the remainder passing to the JSU Foundation. CRTs can offer more flexibility than CGAs:

• Can be structured to pay income for a term of years or for life.

• May be more tax-efficient in some cases.

• Allow for greater customization based on your financial and philanthropic goals.

Minimums:

• Minimum age: 65

• Minimum gift: $100,000

The Office for Philanthropy can provide a personalized, confidential illustration and work with you or your tax advisor to explore these options.

Curt ’77 and Lavonne Mitchell

After he graduated, Curt Mitchell made an unspoken promise to himself and Jacksonville State University.

“I’m going to pay back my scholarship,” said Curt, who played football for the Gamecocks from 1975 until 1976, graduating in 1977. “I didn’t know how, or when, but I was damn sure going to give back at least some of what Jax State gave to me. I’ve always been supportive of Jax State,” Curt said. “Because my wife and I never had kids, we decided that Jax State was going to be our children.”

The Mitchells created a charitable gift annuity that led to a naming in the Loring and Debbie White Football Complex – the Curt and Lavonne Mitchell Players Lounge. With the CGA, the Mitchells donated to Jax State and, in return, receive a fixed stream of income from the JSU Foundation for the rest of their lives. “We were lucky and blessed to be able to do this,” Lavonne added. “This is going to make a difference to a lot of people.”

The CGA is a win-win for both the Mitchells and Jax State.

“It’s good for Jacksonville State because they get the money right away,” Lavonne said. “It’s good for us because it’s an investment, a comfortable investment because it’s low risk. We’re just happy to be a small part of it and show how proud we are of Jax State; of who we are and where we’re going.”

For Curt, it’s a way to give back to the university that gave so much to him. “Jax State gave this small-town, country boy a chance to continue his education while living out his dream of playing college football,” Curt said. “It was some of the best times of my life.”

Just the Facts

Thank you for considering a gift to Jax State! Here is some basic information about our organization:

Legal Name

All charitable gifts should be directed to the “Jacksonville State University Foundation, Inc., 700 Pelham Road, North, Jacksonville, AL 36265, an Alabama 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization, or its successor, Federal Tax Identification Number: 59-0790962.”

Federal Tax ID

The JSU Foundation’s Tax ID number is 59-0790962. Gift transfer instructions are available upon request. Gifts to create a CGA or CRT need to be coordinated through the Office for Philanthropy.

We are grateful to our donors for their long tradition of philanthropic support for Jax State. The best charitable gift plan for you is a highly individual matter. We would be happy to work with you and your advisors to craft a plan best suited for you and your family.

Sample Bequest Language

I give to the Jacksonville State University Foundation, Inc., 700 Pelham Road, North, Jacksonville, AL 36265, an Alabama nonprofit corporation, or its successor, Federal Tax Identification Number 59-0790962, [insert specific dollar amount, description of specific property or percentage of residuary estate] to be used for [designated purpose].”

The Next Step Toward a Lasting Legacy

Contact Kim Dalesandro for more information on gift strategies that can help you support Jax State and provide significant benefits to you and your family.

Kim Dalesandro Director of Planned Giving 256.782.5606 kdalesandro@jsu.edu

Explore gift planning ideas on your own at jsu.edu/plannedgiving

This publication is intended for educational purposes only and is not offered and should not be taken as legal, tax, or other professional advice. Always consult an attorney, accountant, or other professional advisor before making any material decisions based on any information presented herein.