How to Give: Planned Gifts

At LSUS, we are committed to the principles that education is more than training, that wisdom is more than knowledge, and that service to the greater society is an obligation of each educated person. A gift to LSUS constantly renews and expands itself through its students and faculty honoring the giver by changing the lives of generations of future leaders.

When you make a gift to LSUS you are giving the gift of opportunity and education for generations to come. When you plan a bequest for LSUS, you are laying the groundwork for a strong economy and an enlightened community. Moreover, when you make a gift to LSUS, you decide whether it’s confi dential or a shining example for others to follow.

What Kind of Planned Gift is Best for You?
Your vision for LSUS is unique and the method for making that vision come true should be customized as well. There is a gift option for every objective. These options can provide for your loved ones and provide a tax savings for you now while providing future stability for LSUS.

Wills and Bequests
Do you have a will? Does your will reflect your values? Almost anyone can leave a bequest in some amount. Preparing a will allows you to care for your loved ones while giving you the peace of mind that the life you lived will make a difference after you are gone. A bequest can be stated as a dollar amount, a gift of property, a percentage of assets or the remainder of your estate after providing for your family. LSUS offers will-writing classes. If you have questions, please call us at
(318) 797-5257.

Charitable Remainder Trusts
A Charitable Remainder Trust allows you or a benefi ciary to receive income for up to 20 years from a trust funded with cash, marketable securities, real estate or a combination of the three. When the trust term ends, the remaining property becomes a gift to LSUS while you receive an income tax deduction. Those funds will not be included in your estate. When using appreciated securities, the capital gain is generally not subject to tax.

Life Insurance
If you own a policy that you no longer need, you may name LSUS as a benefi ciary to receive all or part of the proceeds. You can also obtain a new life insurance policy naming LSUS as the beneficiary.

Retirement Plans
You can designate a specifi c amount or a percentage of your retirement fund as a gift to LSUS. By using the fund to set up a charitable remainder trust, your loved ones can receive income for a time period with the remainder of the funds eventually benefi ting the university.

Charitable Lead Trusts
Some planned gifts don’t just benefi t the donor; they also benefi t a spouse, children or even grandchildren. Perhaps you want to provide college tuition for your grandchildren down the road. You can ensure your family will be provided for at a later date while helping LSUS now. By establishing a Charitable Lead Trust, you could receive a gift tax deduction, with LSUS receiving the interest on the principal for a fi xed number of years. You pre-determine the date that the remaining funds are given to your loved one.

Scholarships
Scholarships provide the opportunity to change the lives of students who might not otherwise have the fi nancial resources to attend college. Creating a scholarship, however, is also a special way to honor or remember someone or to celebrate a signifi cant event, providing the opportunity to commemorate what is important in your life.

Chairs and Professorships
Endowed chairs and professorships at LSUS promote faculty excellence in research and teaching, and provide permanent funding for these efforts. These endowments enable LSUS to recruit and retain world class faculty and ensure that the university and the community benefi t from that expertise.

Academic and Athletic Service Programs
A gift to the LSUS Foundation can be earmarked for certain colleges, departments and programs.

Memorials and Honorariums
There is no greater gift than one that perpetually provides empowerment for students, helping them to meet their potential. A gift in memory or in honor of someone special in your life will be remembered forever.

Naming Opportunities
By placing your name or that of a loved one on a building, classroom or other property at LSUS, you are setting a shining example of giving to those around us.