Sigma Nu Values Lead to Gift of a Lifetime

Maury Gaston

Maury Gaston

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, Maury Gaston, a longtime volunteer and annual giver, made the decision to support the Fraternity through his estate plan.

Q: Why do you give to the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation?
A: I'm fortunate to have seen what National does to equip our new Commanders through College of Chapters and to see what the national Fraternity does to equip all our officers through the Sigma Nu Institutes and Leadership Consultant meetings with officers. The material at College of Chapters is as good or better than any professional material I have seen, and I've seen a lot. Our annual giving and planned giving supports all that to be even stronger and more effective.

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: Planned giving is a way to leverage small cash today for a substantial impact in the future. If it is proceeds from a paid-up policy, it's zero cash today and substantial impact in the future. While I surely hope to be making an impact through my annual cash giving today, I hope the future benefit of my planned gift can be even more substantial. I like to think annual giving pays my tuition, and a planned gift may provide a permanent endowment that pays multiple tuitions for others.

Q: Is Sigma Nu's mission to develop ethical leaders important today? Why?
A: Of course, it is. More than ever, in fact. We need more young men in America today who understand the values of Love, Honor and Truth; and Sigma Nu can provide that and so much more.

Q: How did your Sigma Nu experience prepare you for the world after college?
A. Gosh. How did it not? I learned the value of relationships, of listening, of being a protégé and later of being a mentor and so much more. One does not have to look far to find a Sigma Nu from his own chapter or another chapter who can be an encourager and supporter.

Q: How have other Sigma Nu brothers impacted your life?
A: There are so many I look up to today, still, who are only two or three years older than me. It embarrasses them when I mention it, but it's true. They are among my heroes, my role models, examples of leadership even at their young age then of 20 or 21, and they still are today, and it continues to inspire me today as their peer.

Q: What has been the Sigma Nu experience that has impacted you the most?
A: That's a tall order. I'm going to go beyond my chapter and collegiate experience and say it's the relationships I have made with Sigma Nus from other chapters across the country through my engagement as Division Commander, Grand Chaplain, and Vice Regent. Just today, I had a long conversation with a Brother literally across the country, perhaps as many miles away as possible and still in country. It was like we had been roommates in chapter, yet he is a generation different and 2,000 miles west.

Q: What has Sigma Nu meant to you down through the years?
A: What has it not meant? I've connected with my father's dear friends through my chapter work, developed close relationships with younger men through my chapter work and otherwise, and made close relationships with so many others from so many chapters across the country through my national service, and so much more. It's all about people, relationships, Love, Honor and Truth. It's all about the Creed. Read it and be inspired all over again.

Q: You've been a longtime volunteer for the Fraternity. Why do you feel called to continue to invest your time and money?
A: So that maybe someone will have a Sigma Nu experience as meaningful for them as mine has been for me. I'm confident they will, because I've seen it over and over. I am dear friends with both younger and older Sigma Nus from numerous chapters across the country, and that is priceless. For those younger, I hope my encouragement will propel them to encourage others as they come along. We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and I'm grateful for those whose shoulders supported me and hope others will one day think of me in that manner.

Like Maury, you, too, 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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