The West Virginia University Foundation will honor donors on Friday, Sept. 15, whose planned gifts over the past year will provide for the future of the University.
The Irvin Stewart Society will welcome 45 new members during a brunch at the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place. Membership in the Society is given to those who include a gift provision in a will or revocable trust, create a life-income gift, designate an after-death gift of a retirement account, make checking, savings or stock accounts “payable upon death,” donate life insurance, or make a gift of real estate with a retained life interest benefiting WVU and its entities.
“The members of the Irvin Stewart Society recognize that West Virginia University impacts so many lives in so many ways,” said Matthew Clark, director of planned giving for the WVU Foundation. “Yet, they have discovered that planned giving allows them to amplify the impact of their gift into something much larger than they could ever donate in their lifetimes—in essence, providing their ultimate gift, the fruits of their life’s work to support the programs of WVU. Additionally, members inspire their classmates and colleagues to join them in their support of WVU, and serve as excellent ambassadors to their peers. What an honor it is to have so many people support WVU through their estate plans.”
The Society, created in 1992 by the WVU Foundation, was named after the University’s thirteenth president, Dr. Irvin Stewart. Currently, the Irvin Stewart Society boasts nearly 1,200 members, with over 800 living members.
Recent donors Charles and Barbe Meredith, both WVU alumni, understand the importance of investing in the future of WVU. The Merediths established an endowed scholarship through their estate plans.
“We knew we could leave enough added income for our kids throughout their lives and then we thought, let’s put the capital back to nourish our roots,” Barbe Meredith said. “We’re hoping we can make an impact, and help West Virginia students, even when we’re no longer around.”
To include WVU in your will and contribute to the future of the University, contact Matthew Clark, director of planned giving at the WVU Foundation, 304-284-4033 or MClark@wvuf.org.
For those who will be age 70 or older by Dec. 31, 2017, your future support through your estate plan will count in “A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University”. The comprehensive fundraising effort being conducted by the Foundation on behalf of the University has raised $1.125 billion and will end Dec. 31.