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"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."

-John Quincy Adams

Grateful Students

Erica, '13 B.S., Manufacturing Technology: Metal Casting and Design Manufacturing

Erica

I was offered a full-time position at the John Deere Foundry in Waterloo as a junior in college. It was a great opportunity, and I knew then I was in the right field and on the right track for my career. More

 

Scholarship Sets the Stage for Success

Tommy Truelsen

Music was always a big part of life for Tommy Truelsen. But it wasn't until he was hired as a worship technician at his church during his sophomore year of high school that he began to imagine music as a calling. In his role, Tommy sets the stage for audio reinforcement, runs the sound board and prepares video presentations. More

 

Getting Started With the Jourdan Mentor Scholarship

Jake Parks

During Jake Parks’ freshman year at the University of Northern Iowa, he received a scholarship, but it was more than financial help. Not only did the award ease the physics major’s financial burden, it also provided Jake with a mentor. More

 

The Art of Gratitude

Sam Simmers

Some high school seniors struggle to find the right fit in a college or university. For freshman Sam Simmers, UNI felt right from the start. "I came to campus and loved it. It's the perfect size. The people are friendly, and did I mention I love it here?" Sam says.  More

 

Scholarship Helps Student Finish on a High Note

Mason Meyers

My name is Mason Meyers, and I am a senior from Waterloo, Iowa, majoring in music education with a jazz emphasis. I chose UNI because the music faculty is top tier, the music and education facilities are the best in Iowa, and it is close to home. More

 

Grateful Student Says 'Thank You'

Ryan Gebel

The scholarship has helped relieve financial stress as I am paying for college on my own. With the program requirement that I am in, I am unable to work.   More

 

UNI Student Pursues Speech-Language Pathology Career

Megan Butz

In May 2016, Megan Butz will graduate from the University of Northern Iowa with her master's degree in speech-language pathology.  More

 

Overcoming Obstacles to Study Abroad

Anthony Daye

Anthony Daye is living his dream this semester. His passion for studying other cultures has led him to Spain—to become immersed in the language and the daily lives of the people. Since he was a student in junior high school, Anthony has worked toward his goal of teaching Spanish. Now a junior at the University of Northern Iowa, Anthony seized the opportunity to study abroad.   More

 

Keepers of Art

Brittany Deal

Brittany Deal is a grateful student from UNI. In 2012 and 2013, Brittany received the Dorothy Jean Tostlebe Ray Endowed Art Scholarship. As a student, she juggled study, studio time and jobs. She worked as an assistant to an art history professor, a preparator at the UNI Gallery of Art, lab assistant for the photography studio and resident assistant in Bartlett Hall. More

 

'Why Not Me?'

Yena Balekyani

University of Northern Iowa sophomore Yena Balekyani plans to use her education to help people like her. She is one of nearly 40 million immigrants living in the United States. Her family settled in Urbandale, Iowa, after emigrating from the Republic of Congo when Yena was 11 years old. More

 

I Want to Make a Difference in People's Lives

Britz Mathis

When I first started at UNI, I declared Spanish teaching as my major. I loved Spanish, but I realized it wasn't what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. As I researched various majors, family services struck me as the perfect fit. More

 

Scholarships Provide More Than Financial Support

Natalia Mitchell

After I graduated from UNI, I was accepted into the physical therapy program at the University of Iowa. I owe a great deal of my acceptance into graduate school to the Sammie Dell Memorial Endowed Scholarship. More

 

A Reason to Give It Your All

Nicole Stone

"Knowing that someone is giving me support makes me want to try harder for them," says UNI senior Nicole Stone. "I don't want to disappoint someone who is investing in me and my future, so I give it my all. Receiving the Kay Baber Roupe Endowed Scholarship has made going to UNI easier financially." More

 

If I Could Say Thank You...

Jessica Simmons

If I could say thank you to my scholarship donor, Gladys Wenthe, I would thank her from the bottom of my heart and let her know she is helping people in such a positive way. I would tell her how much I appreciate this and how meaningful it is. More

 

I Am Grateful for My Scholarship

Dawn Michelle Kobolt

I'm from West Des Moines and am one of six children. I have completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Northern Iowa. This year I'm working on my master's degree in career/vocational studies for special education and a minor in Spanish. I have chosen to teach special education because of one very influential person in my life: my little brother.  More

 

Achieving the Life My Mom Wanted for Me

Anel Garza de Sandoval

I was born in the northern part of Mexico. When I was 3 years old my parents moved to the United States for a better life. We left the grape fields where my parents worked 9-11 hours a day with an annual salary of $12,000. More

 

eBrochure Request Form

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The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes include federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results. Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to the University of Northern Iowa 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

 Bequest Language

"I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP],
give, devise and bequeath to the University of Northern Iowa Foundation, an
Iowa nonprofit corporation of Cedar Falls, Iowa, [written amount or percentage
of the estate or description of property] to be used for such purposes as the
Board of Trustees may determine."

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 UNI 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 UNI 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 UNI 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 UNI Foundation where you agree to make a gift to the UNI 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.
Personal Estate Planning Kit Request Form

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