February | 2021 | Great Returns

Everyone has something they are passionate about. For me, Augsburg holds an important spot in my heart. It’s a cause that’s near and dear to me and my family. Augsburg’s core commitments and values remain true, to provide the finest education and to care for our neighbors so that together we might create a better future. I am honored to serve on the Board of Regents and as Vice-Chair for Great Returns Campaign.

But, did you know that you can ensure your support of charities, like Augsburg, even after your lifetime while also receiving tax benefits for yourself?

You can—with a legacy gift to Augsburg University.

Here are some popular opportunities:

Include a gift to us in your will or living trust.
Your benefits: Retain control of your assets and have the flexibility to change your mind at any time. Read about the gift that Naomi ’81 and Steve Staruch have committed to Augsburg.
Name Augsburg a beneficiary of your retirement account.
Your benefit: These assets pass to Augsburg tax-free, allowing us to use the entire amount to support our mission. If passed to your loved ones, they would have to pay income tax when distributions are made from the account. Miriam Cox Peterson ’68 is creating a scholarship using distributions from her IRA.
Create a charitable trust.
Your benefit: Take care of your family and give to your favorite charity in one instrument. Charitable trusts will be highlighted in the next blog post.

Need Help?

There are many ways you can ensure your support for Augsburg continues for years to come. Contact Amy Alkire at 651-323-4844 or alkirea@augsburg.edu today for help finding the perfect gift for you. You can also create your will for free using Augsburg’s online tool!

Pamela Moksnes ’79, Regent

The information in this publication is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results.

Happy New Year! As the new year and new semester begin, I want to update you on our Great Returns campaign.

In the last month of 2020, the Augsburg Community’s generosity continued to thrive despite the challenges of this past year. In fact, on the last day of the 2020, Augsburg received nearly 400 gifts totaling about $500,000. I am inspired by the commitment of the Augsburg community to ensure our students thrive. This outpouring of philanthropy has aided us in reaching a new milestone in our fundraising effort to build the Augsburg endowment. We now have raised more than $63 million in gifts and pledges!

We have also reached a new milestone in our student scholarship efforts. As part of the Great Returns campaign, we set an ambitious goal of securing 150 new scholarships in honor of the 150^th anniversary of Augsburg’s founding. As of January 1, 2021, benefactors have established 97 new scholarships which make an Augsburg education possible for more students.

As we celebrate these milestones, I would like to lift up a few stories of generous benefactors.

John Yackel is offering a matching challenge to fund a scholarship in Augsburg’s newest program: Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies.
Alumna Kristine Pearson ’78 is continuing her family’s tradition of giving through an endowed scholarship.
Alumni Karen ’67 and David ’67 Haugen are supporting students in the sciences through a science scholarship.
And finally, my dear friend Lloyd Amundson established a nursing scholarship with the hope that others will establish their own scholarships.

While this has been an extraordinarily challenging year, I wanted you to know that the generosity of the Augsburg community has continued to change lives in powerful ways. I am grateful to everyone who chooses to share their gifts with Augsburg and look forward to a time when we can celebrate this generosity in person.

Warmly,
Paul S. Mueller, M.D. ’84
Chair of Great Returns: Augsburg’s Sesquicentennial Campaign

Great Returns

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Monthly Archives: February 2021

Make a Legacy Gift at Augsburg

A New Year and a New Campaign Milestone