Dual-Gifts Maximize Impact

Establishing a planned gift to supplement a cash gift, like John and Kari, allows you to increase your impact in a way that outlasts your lifetime. Not only will you see your generosity take effect with your current gift, but you can also rest assured that your legacy will continue to grow in the years after your life, doubling the reach of your generosity.  

You can utilize several different giving methods to create the gift package that best suits your needs. Creating a bequest through your will or trust is one of the easiest ways to make a planned gift. You can gift a percentage of your estate, a specific asset, or the balance or residue of your estate. In addition to supporting Texas A&M, bequests allow you to retain assets during your lifetime and lessen the burden of taxes on your family.

With Aggieland fresh on their minds, the couple decided to create a gift in their estate plans that will supplement their current gift for study abroad scholarships. In addition to seeing their generosity take effect now, they know their planned gift will continue to support students’ experiences abroad after their lifetimes.

Through their gifts, John and Kari are helping Texas A&M remain the No. 1 public university in the nation for the number of students studying abroad, according to the Institute of International Education. “We strive to be leaders in providing accessible, flexible and quality education abroad experiences to our students,” said Holly Hudson, Texas A&M’s executive director for study abroad programs. “Study abroad exposes participants to diverse cultures, environments and people. Learning how to appreciate diversity is critical for our country and for future leadership.”

With his career experiences behind him, John now spends time with family, volunteering in his community and coaching his daughter’s softball team. He and Kari hope that their gifts broaden student perspectives and help Aggies build community wherever they go. “Learning how to listen to people with empathy while respecting their opinions builds trust, which is the key to strong relationships, both professional and personal,” John added. “Being able to work with people who are different than us is vital as we continue to move toward a global society.”

To learn more about planned giving and how it can benefit you, your family and Texas A&M, contact Glenn Pittsford ’72 (below) at gpittsford@txamfoundation.com or (800) 392-3310. To learn more about creating a study abroad scholarship gift for Aggie students, contact Marcy Ullmann '86 at mullmann@txamfoundation.com or (979) 845-6383.