What Is Your Why?
By Sandi R. Bliss, chief advancement officer
When asked this question recently, I realized my “why” is tied to my daily motivation. This question further caused me to reflect back on the donors and alumni who have shared their “why” and motivation for investing in the Corps of Cadets with me. Have you thought of your “why”? And, most importantly, what your legacy in the Corps will be?
As you ponder this question, below are just a few ways to leave a legacy in the Corps. You will also find some examples of the “why” for other Corps donors.
Special Naming Opportunity
Corps Leadership and Military Science Building: If you are interested in investing in this fantastic new space, there are a few naming opportunities available starting at $25,000. All naming opportunities can be accomplished through a five-year pledge. Be sure to secure your naming as we make plans to open this transformational space in fall 2023!
Why? The sister of a late Corps alumnus wanted to honor her brother’s life by naming an Army office in the Corps Leadership and Military Science Building in his memory. She did not attend Virginia Tech but found her “why” in the Corps, and we are very proud that she chose us as the place to honor her brother.
Ways to Create Your Own Impact in the Corps
Endowments are a powerful investment in the future of the Corps. Endowed gifts, which include cadet scholarships, are invested each year, and a percentage of the return provides critical support to Corps initiatives. Endowments can be created with a minimum gift of $100,000 and established with a five-year pledge or through an estate gift.
Why? A Corps alumnus emailed to ask for the names of alumni who died in conflict. He wanted to find a story to honor through the creation of an endowed scholarship. I shared the name of a Virginia Tech alumnus, although not a Corps alumnus, who died a few months before in a training accident. I had met his pregnant widow and their young son at a ceremony a few weeks before, when her late husband’s name was added to the Pylons.
When I called to ask the widow for permission to create an endowed scholarship in her late husband’s name, she was moved to tears. She told me that she knew Corps alumni were special, but this was beyond anything she imagined. This alumnus also wanted to add the widow to stewardship for this endowed scholarship. Such an incredibly selfless act of generosity and it all started with this alumnus’ “why.”
Annual gifts of any amount can make an immediate impact. They can be made one time or arranged on a convenient, recurring basis.
Gifts to the Commandant’s Priority Fund of $500 or greater, made before the sponsorship deadlines, automatically sponsor a first-year cadet on the fall or spring Caldwell March.
Why? A recent graduate wanted to create his legacy in the Corps and began with his senior class gift. By giving to the Corps Global Scholars Fund to earn a brick plaque, he is now on track to reach the $2,500 threshold by the March 10, 2025, deadline. His “why” will be realized when his brick plaque is displayed in the new Corps Leadership and Military Science Building.
Estate Planning Options
There so many wonderful options for leaving a powerful legacy through planned gifts to the Corps, and we are here to help.
Future intent: If you have included the Corps in your estate planning, please let us know. If you have chosen to give through your estate, there are ways to experience the impact of your future gift during your lifetime.
Donor-advised fund: Create a donor-advised fund to maximize tax benefits now through recommend charitable gifts, possibly with family involvement, for many years to come. Choose distributions within Virginia Tech or the outside charities of your choice.
Why? A Corps alumna who was in the process of defining her estate gift to the Corps sadly died suddenly. She was passionate about the endowment she wanted to create; knowing this, her family stepped in and continued her gift conversation. The future endowment is now being funded through an annual gift and has become a family legacy in the Corps. This lasting tribute to the life of this incredible woman has become her family’s “why.”
Important Charitable Giving Opportunities for 2021
This year, there’s a $300 charitable deduction per person ($600 per couple), even if you don’t itemize your deductions.
Donors making larger gifts and pledge payments this year can benefit from the ability to use more of their deduction to accelerate their tax savings. Most gifts made in 2021 can be deducted up to 100 percent of a donor’s adjusted gross income (as compared to the normal 60 percent). To qualify, they must be cash gifts to public charities. These benefits don’t apply to gifts of stock or real estate, or gifts to a donor-advised fund.
If you are age 70 1/2 or older, you can make “qualified charitable distributions” to the Corps from your IRA without it being taxed as income. Moreover, qualified charitable distributions can count toward any required minimum distribution you must take.
Leave Your Legacy in the Corps
Throughout history, Corps of Cadets graduates have left their names and class years in pencil on the bricks of Lane Hall. Now, you can leave your mark on a brick plaque in the new Corps Leadership and Military Science Building. We’ve actually used images of the Lane Hall bricks to make these one-of-a-kind plaques.
Here’s how it works: Donate at least $2,500 to any Corps of Cadets non-endowed fund, such as the Commandant’s Priorities Annual Fund, between March 10, 2020, and March 10, 2025. That’s just $500 a year.
Once you reach the $2,500 total giving threshold, we will send you a sample inscription to approve. The inscription will include your full name, class year, and Corps’ company on three separate lines. You can choose our typeface or your own handwriting. (Because of space limitations on the plaque, we will be unable to add titles, honorifics, military rank, or nicknames.)
Each brick plaque must be tied to a single giving record, and we must limit one plaque to each record. The $2,500 threshold can only be counted once to an individual giving record. If you are giving to honor a friend or loved one in addition to your own brick plaque, please be sure that $2,500 donation is tied to that person or another family member’s giving record. We are unable to count company matches toward any $2,500 giving threshold.
The brick plaques will be featured in a special place in the Corps Leadership and Military Science Building, expected to open in 2023. Give now to ensure your name is in place for the dedication ceremony.
For more information about any of these opportunities, please contact the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets advancement team today at 540-231-2892, vtcc@vt.edu, or vtcc.vt.edu/give.