Growing and Developing Future Leaders

John HearnWhether you are alumni, parents or friends of Sigma Nu, our supporters mean the world to us. See why one of our donors and longtime volunteers, Brother John Hearn (Mu Chapter, Georgia), values his Sigma Nu experience and why he gives back.

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

A: Based on my own personal experience and by observing the positive impact on others, I invest in Sigma Nu because of its unique ability to grow and develop leaders. College was a formative time for me, and I want to do my part to “pay it forward” for other young men to receive the benefits afforded to me through my Sigma Nu experience.

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: Sigma Nu is not only an organization with endearing principles and an exceptional mission. It is also very well run, and I am confident a stewardship mindset is taken relative to my investment to develop ethical leaders.

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

A: Our society is flooded by negativity and division, and voids in leadership are partially to blame. Our world, including social media, promotes our focus on the negative. Ethical leadership is an antidote, helping lead others toward a focus on the positive through inspiration and example.

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

A: Local chapters are referred to as “self-governing” organizations. While there are immense resources and mentors available to train and educate chapter leadership, there remains no replacement for the growth that comes from “the doing.” Mistakes were opportunities to learn the value of planning, consensus building, open communication and diversity of opinion. Ultimately, I learned at a deep and personal level that leadership involves making a call, and that it is best to seek respect over popularity.

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

A: I could write a book with many chapters to answer this question. I’ll simply say the Sigma Nu Brotherhood has positively impacted virtually every aspect of my life: From motivating my education, to a college job that led to my marriage, to a career choice and now through many sustaining business relationships. Sigma Nu weaves through it all, including dozens of weddings to premature funerals. It is a lifelong bond I can’t imagine not having in my life.

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

A: It’s virtually impossible to answer the question of which Sigma Nu experience has impacted me the most. The easy answer is the people; however, I can’t pick just one. To pick one person or one event would be like asking which thread in a garment or which brushstroke in a painting is most important. All of them come together and, for me, form an inseparable picture of my life.

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

A: To whom much is given, much is required, and I must give back to the fraternity that has given me so much. Frankly, alumni support of our beloved organization is at a fraction of the level needed. Collegiate brothers are funding the lion’s share of our operating costs, and it should be the exact opposite. The resources lie with alumni, and this is from where the resources should flow for the organization we all love. I am grateful for so many who sustain Sigma Nu with their time, talents and treasure, and my encouragement is for a wider group of alumni to give back to the national organization.

Like John, 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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