Empower the Next Generation: Transforming Lives at Cal Poly Humboldt, Part II

Nov, 2024
A photo of two students holding up their hands as hearts on campus.

What will your legacy be?

There are two primary ways to impact future generations of students at Cal Poly Humboldt: legacy gifts and endowments.

Legacy Gifts, or Planned Gifts, offer a special opportunity to ensure the Humboldt future of excellence in teaching, research, and learning. Planned Gifts may also help you meet your financial goals. By including Humboldt in your estate plans, you create a lasting legacy that nurtures students, faculty, and programs for years ahead. A Planned Gift sustains Humboldt’s tradition of innovation in teaching, research, and hands-on learning, guaranteeing that future students experience an extraordinary educational journey that changes lives.

These gifts can be as simple as including the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation in your will or trust, or naming the Foundation as a beneficiary in financial accounts, life insurance policies, or retirement plans. With flexibility in how and when your gift is given, you retain control over your assets. 

When considering legacy gifts, another option is to make a simple bequest through your will or living trust. This allows you to maintain control over your assets during your lifetime, as you can specify a particular dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or even a gift of specific assets like securities or real estate. Visit the Legacy Gift website for more information. 

A charitable gift annuity provides fixed payments for life in exchange for a gift of cash or securities to the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation. Gift annuities are easy to set up and the payments you receive are backed by the general resources of the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation. 

Donors over 70½ can receive a lifetime of payments in return for a contribution to the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation from their IRA account. This gift plan combines a charitable gift annuity and a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA.)

Additionally, bequest options can be tailored to align with your personal wishes. You might choose to make an unrestricted bequest, allowing Humboldt the freedom to use your gift where it’s most needed. Alternatively, you could designate your bequest for a specific purpose or program like Wildlife, Nursing, or Journalism. 

For donors who aspire to create a lasting legacy that endures for generations, endowments are a great option. This approach allows donors to contribute funds that are invested, with only the interest or earnings generated being distributed to support a specific scholarship or research fund. This ensures that the principal amount remains intact, providing perpetual support over time. By choosing to fund an endowment during your lifetime, you not only make a significant impact today, but you secure a future of ongoing contributions that align with your values and philanthropic goals, creating a meaningful and lasting difference in the areas you care about most at Humboldt.

With a minimum gift of  $25,000, you can establish an endowment that reflects your values and priorities.

Endowments allow you to fund scholarships, and provide life-changing opportunities for students by making higher education more accessible. For example, Cal Poly Humboldt faculty member Jaime Lancaster (‘03, Business Administration), created the Jim Yates Business Endowed Fund with a gift of $37,500, which will provide a minimum of $1,000 in scholarships annually to support students majoring in Business, preferably with an interest or area of concentration in management or entrepreneurship.

Endowments can also be designated to strengthen specific departments, fund awards, or support assistantships, creating opportunities for hands-on learning and academic growth by supporting research or Academic Programs. For example, alum Del Skeesick (‘61, Fisheries Biology, ‘63 M.S. Fisheries Biology) established the Skeesick Family Humboldt Bay Fisheries Research Endowment with a $150,000 gift, supporting Cal Poly Humboldt Fisheries Biology graduate students in researching socioeconomically significant fish species in Humboldt Bay and nearby coastal waters. This support includes financial awards for research, equipment purchases, or other areas identified as the most pressing needs. Additionally, the fund will assist graduate and undergraduate Fisheries Biology students in attending professional society conferences.

You may also honor a loved one by naming your endowment to honor a family member, mentor, or friend, leaving a legacy that reflects their values. For example, as a way to honor the memory of his friend and fellow filmmaker Don McKenzie (‘69, Theatre, Film & Dance), David Phillips (‘69, Theatre Arts) created the David Phillips and Don McKenzie Humboldt International Film Festival Endowment with a gift of $54,600. The endowment will support the basic needs and operations to keep the film festival alive and includes funding for securing judges, guest speakers, promotions, and more.

Establishing an endowment offers numerous benefits that can have a profound impact on the future. One of the most significant advantages is the ongoing support provided in perpetuity, ensuring that Humboldt and its students thrive for generations to come. As a donor, you have the unique opportunity to prioritize your support for specific causes or programs that resonate with you, whether it’s environmental sustainability, student scholarships, or innovative research initiatives. 

Additionally, making an endowment can also bring financial benefits, as it may provide you with a tax deduction depending on your financial circumstances and estate size. In the year you make your bequest, there could also be the opportunity for your estate to benefit from an estate tax deduction. 

By planning your legacy today, you not only set the stage for meaningful change but also join a community of visionary donors who understand the transformative power of education. If you have included the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation in your estate plans, we would be delighted to welcome you into our donor family and recognize your extraordinary generosity. Together, we can ensure that Humboldt's commitment to hands-on, transformative education continues to inspire and empower future generations.

To learn more about how creating a planned gift or building an endowment can make a positive influence on future generations of Cal Poly Humboldt students, visit giving.humboldt.edu, call (707) 826-5200, or email giving@humboldt.edu.