An Honor to Serve Our Great Fraternity

Brother Jim Mounier (llinois State)

Brother Jim Mounier (Illinois State)

We appreciate all of our donors and whether they are alumni, parents or friends of Sigma Nu, they mean the world to us. See why one of our donors and longtime volunteers, Brother Jim Mounier (Illinois State), values his Sigma Nu experience and why he gives back.

Q: Why do you invest in Sigma Nu through the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation? Why is the mission of Sigma Nu Fraternity important to you?

A: To develop ethical leaders inspired by the principles of Love, Honor and Truth. To foster the personal growth of each man's mind, heart and character. To perpetuate lifelong friendships and commitment to the Fraternity.

Q: Planned giving is a special way to support an organization. Why did you choose to invest in Sigma Nu in this way? What do you hope to achieve with your philanthropy?

A: In addition to my annual contribution to the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation. I chose to designate one of my IRAs with the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation as the contingent beneficiary. For Sigma Nu to maintain and grow the collegiate chapter support, it is reliant on continued alumni financial support. This IRA will provide a significant future gift for Sigma Nu Fraternity to continue its mission.

Q: Is Sigma Nu's mission to develop ethical leaders important today? Why?

A: The need for ethical leaders is paramount for the future of our country and the world. I believe programs, such as the LEAD program, are instrumental in the development of our young brothers. I have seen the results while meeting many outstanding collegians who have embraced Sigma Nu's leadership programs. I am convinced Sigma Nu provides our collegiate brothers the opportunity to develop their leadership skills that they may not of experienced without Sigma Nu.

Q: How did your Sigma Nu experience prepare you for the world after college?

A: Becoming a Sigma Nu brother in college was one of the most rewarding experiences of my college years. There are many friendships that have been maintained since graduation in 1974. It is difficult to explain how Sigma Nu helped prepare me or the many facets of my life that were impacted. I can say I know I am a better person because of my Sigma Nu experience.

Q: How have other Sigma Nu brothers impacted your life?

A: Not only my collegiate friendships, but over the years I have met several Sigma Nu alumni from other chapters who have become good friends. Some of these brotherhood friendships have also developed into successful business relationships. The network of brothers has definitely had a positive impact on me and my family.

Q: What has been the Sigma Nu experience that has impacted you the most?

A: I must admit I had very little connection to Sigma Nu after college, until I decided to try to reconnect with my Theta Rho brothers. I believe it was 2013, when I organized a Theta Rho alumni reunion during Illinois State University's homecoming weekend. It was a great success. That was the beginning of my most gratifying journey back to Sigma Nu.

Q: What has Sigma Nu meant to you over the years?

A: Sigma Nu has allowed me the opportunity to be a part of something that I believe is important, rewarding and makes me feel good that I am making a difference by helping our young brothers become those better men and ethical leaders who our society so desperately needs as they excel through life with honor.

Q: You've been a longtime volunteer for the Fraternity. Why do you feel called to continue to invest your time?

A: Although I was not connected from 1975 to 2013, once I got involved again with Sigma Nu, that started a chain of events that I will treasure for the rest of my life. After our 2013 reunion, I helped organize a group to recolonize our Theta Rho chapter (dormant since the early 1990s). That led to becoming the Chair of the Theta Rho Alumni Advisory Board and then the Chapter Alumni Advisor. I am currently serving as the Commander of the Theta Rho Alumni Association Chapter.

After moving to Florida, I organized a few Sigma Nu alumni events for Southwest Florida. Past Regents Joe Gilman and Charlie Eitel were kind enough to attend and speak at one of our alumni dinners. Shortly after that event, Joe Gilman asked my wife and me to attend the 2018 Grand Chapter. During that Grand Chapter, I experienced a whole side of Sigma Nu I never knew. At that Grand Chapter I was asked to serve on the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation Board.

I consider it an honor to serve our great Fraternity.

Like Jim, you can include a meaningful gift to Sigma Nu in your estate plan to benefit future generations. Contact Nick Murphy at (540) 463-1869, ext. 205 or nick.murphy@sigmanu.org to learn about your giving options.

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 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. California residents: 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. Oklahoma residents: 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. South Dakota residents: 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 Sigma Nu Educational 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 give, devise and bequeath (the sum of/percentage of/residue of my estate) to the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation with principal offices in Lexington, Virginia, to be utilized for the general benefits of the Sigma Nu Foundation, Inc. (for specified program of the Foundation)."

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 Sigma Nu 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 Sigma Nu 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 Sigma Nu 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 Sigma Nu where you agree to make a gift to Sigma Nu 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.
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