Join the Cornerstone Society
Commemorating Planned and Testamentary Gifts
The Cornerstone Society recognizes donors who make planned or estate gifts to the NIU Foundation. Through their bequests and qualified deferred gifts (such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts), these generous and insightful donors have provided for generations of NIU students. These gifts will become the cornerstone upon which the University will grow.
Planned and estate gifts are the culmination of a donor’s lifetime commitment to Northern Illinois University. These gifts not only help the University plan for future programs and help students afford tuition, they also provide our donors with an opportunity to make a statement of priority with their estate plan. Planned and estate gifts allow the University to prepare for growth of strategic initiatives and help our donors save on estate and other burdensome taxes. Through the Cornerstone Society, we appropriately recognize these thoughtful donors.
If you are interested in learning more about how a planned gift to the NIU Foundation can not only benefit the University, but also you as a philanthropist, please contact Judy M. Schneider at 815-753-1389 or jschneider@niu.edu.
If you qualify for membership in the Cornerstone Society, please complete our Charitable Bequest Intention Form (PDF).
Benefits of Membership
Membership in the Cornerstone Society provides you with the following opportunities for involvement and recognition:
• Listing in the Annual Report to Donors
• Invitation to the University’s major events
• Invitation to the Red and Black Dinner Dance
• Holiday recognition
Society Levels
Platinum Guild $1,000,000+
Gold Guild $250,000 - $999,999
Silver Guild $50,000 - $249,999
Bronze Guild under $50,000
Northern Illinois University has designated the NIU Foundation as the charitable organization to receive and manage all gifts on its behalf.
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. 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. 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. 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 Northern Illinois University 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
The official bequest language for Northern Illinois University is: "I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Northern Illinois University Foundation (TAX ID # 36-6086819) [percentage of the estate or written amount or description of property] for wherever the need is greatest."
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 the NIU Foundation 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 the NIU Foundation 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 the NIU Foundation 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 the NIU Foundation where you agree to make a gift to the NIU Foundation 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.