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Cambridge and McCook Benefit from IRA Distribution

Don and Alice Harpst

Endowment Building

Cambridge and McCook Benefit from IRA Distribution

“Choose your ruts carefully as you will be in them for a while,” was the saying used by the pioneers who crossed Nebraska in the early 1800s.

Don and Alice Harpst of McCook, Nebraska have taken this advice and followed the example set by their parents of community involvement and development work throughout their working years and now in retirement.

For example, they have been active in community theatre productions and Don has served on the Fund Advisory Committee of the McCook Community Foundation Fund, an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation.

As a result of this involvement with the McCook Community Foundation Fund, Don learned of the benefits of the tax law that permitted tax-free distributions from an IRA to a community foundation, that provision expired on December 31, 2009, and then was reinstated in 2010 and expired on December 31, 2011. 

“I was in the right position age wise and fortunate to have an IRA fund balance that I could consider such a tax-wise gift,” shared Don.

The Harpsts’ next step was to meet with their legal, tax, and financial advisors. “Our advisors shared with us that this was a smart way to make a charitable gift since our children would pay a substantial amount in taxes if they received the IRA,” explained Don.

“Don and I had been thinking about how to help the communities and people of Cambridge and McCook as an expression of our appreciation for all the community and people have done for us and our family since we met at the McCook Junior College many years ago,” said Alice.

Knowing they wanted to make a gift but not certain of how or when to make the gift, the Harpsts sought the assistance of Jim Gustafson, Gift Planning Director.

“Jim helped us think through several decisions such as the best gift option available, to think of our community as another member of our family, and to see the benefits of our charitable gifts during our lifetime,” explained Don. “Once Don and I reached our decision it gave us a feeling of satisfaction to share in this way” said Alice.

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The Bullers have made Charitable Giving a Central Part of their Lives

Wayne and Bev Buller

The Bullers have made Charitable Giving a Central Part of their Lives

Wayne and Bev Buller have made charitable giving a central part of their lives. They have chosen to continue their charitable giving beyond their lifetimes through their estate plan. We are proud to include these generous Nebraskans as members of our Legacy Society Stakeholders Club and Jim and Elaine Wolf Club.

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Gifts of Grain:  Give more to your community. Pay less in taxes.

Dan and Sarah Miller

With today’s high prices and a positive outlook for commodity markets, many farmers are considering gifts of grain to fulfill their charitable intentions.

When a farmer delivers grain to market and transfers ownership to a charity, they get greater tax savings than if they sell the commodity and then write a check from the proceeds.

The Nebraska Community Foundation makes it easy for ag producers to make charitable donations.

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Couple Helps Local Library

Beverly and Gene Johnson

In 2011 Wausa needed new library facilities. So as they have done often in the past, Gene and Beverly Johnson have made a major gift to the community. Gene and Beverly each used a Charitable IRA Rollover to make a combined gift of $40,000 to move the project forward.

The Charitable IRA Rollover law, which expired December 31, 2011, allowed those age 70½ and older to transfer funds from an IRA to a charity tax free. 

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More Donor Stories...

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  3. Brandon and Tammy Day »
  4. Al Svajgr »
  5. Doug and Judy Gaswick »
  6. Kathleen Thuman »
  7. Cliff and Betty Boyce »
  8. Eugene and Bonnie Martinson »
  9. Ron and Judy Parks »
  10. Rita Shimmin »
  11. Shirley Kreutz Bennett »
  12. Lloyd and Naomi Geweke »
  13. Louisa and Richard Manning »
  14. Tom and Cynthia Olson »
  15. Rudolph R. Elis »
  16. Frank and Shirley Sibert »
  17. Bruno and Laverne Boettcher »
  18. Harold and Marilyn Rink »
  19. Robert Harm »
  20. Lemoine “Andy” and Geri Anderson »
  21. John Daro »
  22. Paul and Karen Seger »
  23. Rolland R. Ramsthel »
  24. Verlene and Gerald Gunderson »
  25. Don and Alice Harpst »
  26. Jim and Ginger Nissen »
  27. Kathryn Wall »
  28. Doris Miller »
Title Description
Charitable Gift Annuity A Charitable Gift Annuity, allows the donor to make a gift and receive fixed income payments for life and/or for the lifetime of a surviving beneficiary. More information.
Charitable Remainder Trusts A Charitable Remainder Trust is a legal instrument into which a donor transfers irrevocably the ownership of assets such as securities or real estate. In return, the donor receives an immediate charitable income tax deduction and the right to receive an income. When the trust ends, the property remaining in the trust passes to the Nebraska Community Foundation to be used according to the donor’s directions. More information.
Donor-Advised Funds A donor-advised fund can be established and funded either currently or with a testamentary gift. The donor or the fund advisors recommend grant disbursements to eligible charitable organizations within Nebraska Community Foundation guidelines. This type of fund also qualifies for the highest charitable income and estate tax deductions allowed by law, while bypassing capital gains tax on gifts of appreciated assets to the fund. More Information.
Endowment Building A Permanent Endowment Fund is held in perpetuity and invested in a manner that protects the principal while the investment income provides ongoing support for donor-designated projects and expenses approved by the Fund Advisory Committee. Many donors choose to give to unrestricted endowments of the affiliated funds they wish to support.
Ford Challenge Champions The Ford Foundation issued a $1 million challenge grant to the Nebraska Community Foundation to support our development work and build the NCF endowment. Ford Challenge Champions are donors who are helping us meet our $3 million match.
Gift of Ag Commodities Fluctuating prices have created opportunities for making tax-advantaged gifts of grain or livestock.
Gifts of Life Insurance Many Nebraskans have found that a gift of life insurance is an easy and convenient way to make a gift to support their hometown. There are three ways to make a gift to your hometown using life insurance: with an existing policy, by beneficiary designation and with a new policy. More Information.
Gifts of Real Estate A gift of real estate offers several special tax incentives and other benefits. More Information.
Gifts of Retirement Plan Assets Many Nebraskans have taken advantage of generous tax incentives provided by tax law to save for their retirement years. Known as “qualified” retirement plans, these plans, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), 401(k), Keogh and others, feature income tax benefits when contributions are made to the plan. Plus, the money in the plan accumulates tax-free until it is withdrawn for retirement. More Information.
Gifts of Securities Tax laws offer a triple tax benefit for gifts of securities (stock, bonds and mutual funds) that have increased in value since purchase or acquisition. Donors can receive several tax benefits: charitable income tax deduction, avoidance of capital gains taxes, and reduction of potential estate taxes. More Information.
Gifts of Tangible Personal Property Tangible personal property is broadly defined in the tax code as any property, other than land or buildings that can be seen or touched. More information.
Scholarships Scholarships, especially non-traditional scholarships, are a technique many donors have used to help strengthen the workforce for their hometown.
Wills and Bequests A bequest, a gift in your will, is an opportunity to make a difference in the quality of life in your hometown and continue the support you have provided during your lifetime. More Information.

Nebraska Community Foundation / P.O. Box 83107 / 3833 South 14th Street / Lincoln, NE 68501 / P: (402) 323-7330 F: (402) 323-7349 / E-mail Us