• Bequests – Bequests, which are gifts made through a will or living trust, are the most common type of planned gift. The future gift is revocable (meaning it can be changed), and you still retain control of your assets. After providing for your loved ones, you may decided to give a specific amount, a percentage of your estate or all or part of what remains after family and/or friends have been remembered. Since bequests are subject to change and may be revoked, there are no immediate income tax deductions; however, estates can claim deductions once the assets – cash, real estate or other property – are actually transferred to the NET Foundation for Television and/or the NET Foundation for Radio.
  

Sample Bequest Language You can take the following sample bequest language to your attorney when making planned giving decisions: "I give, devise and bequeath to the NET Foundation for Television and/or the NET Foundation for Radio, at 1800 North 33rd Street, Lincoln, NE 68503 [written amount; percentage of estate; or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

• Charitable Gift Annuities – A charitable gift annuity is a contract under which NET, in return for a transfer of cash or other property, agrees to pay a fixed sum of money to you (and the life of another person, if you choose) for the rest of your life (the older you are, the higher your payment from NET would be). Payments from a charitable gift annuity are fixed from the outset, so they won't increase or decrease, even when the stock market fluctuates.
  
  

  Single Life Gift Annuity Rates   Age Rate   60  5.7%   70  6.5%   80  8.0%   90+ 11.3% $10,000 minimum gift required Lock in these profitable interest rates soon, because rates are decreasing July 1, 2008!

  
  
  
• Life Insurance Policies – You may want to consider naming NET the beneficiary of a life insurance policy that you no longer need. As a result, you will receive a charitable deduction and may also reduce your estate taxes.

• Retirement/Pension Plans – Retirement plans are another excellent opportunity to make a planned gift to NET. Naming NET as the primary beneficiary of your 401(k), pension, IRA or other retirement plan avoids income and estate taxes on the retirement plan – these plans can result in up to 70% in taxes when they are passed onto heirs, because of double taxation (not only is the plan benefit reduced by estate taxes, but the recipient must also pay income tax on it). Or you can also name NET to receive a portion of the benefits, or as a contingent beneficiary, with the gift effective only after the death of a spouse or other family member.
  
  
• Provisions of Living Trusts – Many people use trusts created during their lifetime (often referred to as "living trusts") to provide for the management and future distribution of their assets while reducing the cost of probate. You direct that at the termination of your living trust, a portion of the assets remaining will be given to NET. A simple amendment to a living trust is often all that is required to arrange a gift in this way.
  
  
• Irrevocable Split-Interest Charitable Trusts, which include Charitable Remainder Trusts and Charitable Lead Trusts:
  
  
  • Charitable remainder trusts  –  A charitable remainder trust allows you to make a gift to NET in a trust, reserving the income for yourself and/or another person either for life or a set numbers of years. At the end of the trust, the remaining assets are distributed to NET.
    
    
  • Charitable Lead Trusts – It is also possible to set aside assets in what is known as a charitable lead trust. Payments from such a trust would be devoted to NET for a period of time you choose. Assets in the trust are then returned to you or others you designate. You can fund a gift over a specific period of time, while at the same time reduce or even eliminate gift and estate taxes that would be due on gifts given to loved ones at the end of the trust term.  
    
    
• A Gift of Cash by Check (called an outright transfer of value) – is another popular way to support NET. This would also include:
  
  
  • A Gift of Appreciated Stock – Gifts of stock allow you to avoid capital gains taxes on the appreciation and possibly qualify for a charitable tax deduction for the full value of the gift.
    
    
  • Gifts of Real Estate and Closely Held Non-Marketable Stock are welcome, but subject to acceptance.

Planned Giving Contacts:

Jeff Beckman; Executive Director; 402.472.9333 ext. 380; 800.634.6788; jbeckman@netNebraska.org

In Greater Nebraska:
Michele Peon-Casanova; 402.472.9333 ext. 375; 800.634.6788; mpeon-casanova@netNebraska.org

In Omaha:
Bridget Robbins; 402.699.7734; brobbins@netNebraska.org