Foundation & Development

There Is Still Time To Make a Difference in 2024

Your generosity is the keystone of success for students at Western Illinois University. Your continued support is particularly heartfelt, and demonstrates your understanding of your vital role in the lives of our students.

Because the final weeks of 2024 can be especially busy for all, we are making sure you are aware of some important deadlines. If you have not yet made your gift in 2024, you can still do so much to empower the students we serve.

An extra benefit for you: Your contribution may qualify for a tax deduction this year when you itemize on your federal income tax return.

Consider These Gift Options

Make an Online Gift

Make an immediate impact by supporting what you love at Western with your online gift before Dec. 31. You can also quickly and easily set up an automatic, recurring gift to occur this time each year.

To do:  Click HERE to make your online gift.

IRA

If you are 70½ years or older, you have the option to make a tax-free gift, with a maximum limit of $105,000 per year, directly from your IRA to Western Illinois University. This type of contribution, referred to as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), serves the dual purpose of supporting Western and fulfilling all or part of your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) obligation if it applies to you.

To do: Simply instruct your IRA custodian to make a direct transfer to the Western Illinois University Foundation. Our EIN is 37-6046814.

We recommend implementing your gift soon to ensure processing by Dec. 31.

Gifts of Stock

When you give stocks and other securities directly to Western, you make an outsized impact without taking money directly out of your bank account. You also avoid paying taxes on the appreciated value and qualify for a charitable deduction when you itemize your tax return.  

To do: Complete the transfer by Dec. 31 or click HERE for more information.

Donor Advised Fund

Now is a great time to give to the area you are most passionate about at Western Illinois University and enjoy tax savings when you itemize.

To do: Complete your gift by Dec. 31. 

Your Year-End Checklist

Check these off your list before the end of 2024:

  • Will or living trust. Review your will or trust for any life change such as a birth, death, marriage, or move to a different state. You can create one for free at FreeWill.
  • Durable powers of attorney. Make sure these documents for financial matters and for health care are current. A copy of the financial power of attorney should be given to your family members, while a copy of your health care power of attorney should be provided to both family members and health care providers.
  • Retirement plan beneficiaries. Review these and remove any beneficiary on your life insurance or retirement plans who is deceased or is a former spouse, and consider adding a nonprofit such as the Western Illinois University Foundation.
  • Life insurance policy. If you have a policy that is no longer a significant piece of your estate plan, consider making a gift by assigning ownership to Western Illinois University or making us the beneficiary.
  • Bank or brokerage accounts. Name designated heirs or Western Illinois University as a recipient of bank or brokerage account proceeds at your death.*
  • Charitable contributions. If you’ve included a gift to Western Illinois University in your estate plan, review the details of your gift and let us—and your loved ones—know of your intentions. This will guarantee that your wishes are carried out after your lifetime.
  • Safe-deposit box. Catalog the contents of your safe-deposit box. Give a written copy to a trusted family member and note any items you are holding for someone else.
  • Digital estate. Your online accounts’ usernames and up-to-date passwords, along with your smartphone and tablet passcodes, home security code, and similar data, should either be recorded in password-management software or on paper in a fireproof lockbox. Tell someone you trust how to access either of these.

*State laws govern payable-on-death accounts and transfer-on-death accounts. Please consult with your bank representative or investment adviser if you are considering these gifts.

Let’s Team Up

As we approach the end of the year, we’re happy to help ensure that you can support our mission and also get the most benefit. Please feel free to email wiufoundation@wiu.edu or call us at (309) 298-1861 for more information.

Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax adviser. 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.