Planned Giving
The Cornerstone Society
Through the years a number of alumni and friends of American International have made what is considered to be an "ultimate gift", one fairly large-sized gift made through a simple bequest in a will or through a more involved estate planning process. Those individuals who notify us of having done this become members of The Cornerstone Society. As with any organization, a cornerstone is the pivotal building block upon which everything that comes after is based.
Without a firm cornerstone, a building would not stand very long, nor an institution last very long. The cornerstone is key to the future. The college felt it appropriate to recognize those who want to help secure the firm foundation of tomorrow's AIC by either endowing their Annual Fund gift or establishing a special scholarship through their estate plans, and thus created The Cornerstone Society.
In recognition of their selflessness and dedication to the college, members of The Cornerstone Society receive an invitation to a special gathering held just for them each fall, and often receive advance notice of events happening either on campus or in their area of the country.
Perhaps you are giving thought to how best you should disperse your assets to family, friends and charitable organizations. If so, you should consider an "ultimate gift" to AIC and let us know you have planned it so we can include you in this very prestigious Cornerstone Society. It could be a bequest, a life insurance policy, residuals of a retirement plan, a charitable remainder trust, or any number of wealth replacement plans.
Planning gifts through your estate plan can accomplish any number of things: establish a perpetual family legacy for philanthropic purposes, avoid certain taxes on large retirement plans, increase your income, provide for dependents with special needs, avoid taxes on retained earnings, reduce income taxes, avoid the forced sale of a family business, and/or leave a larger estate to those you love.
Because the development staff is not qualified to give legal counsel, you should discuss your ideas and plans with your attorney or financial planner. Then contact us about your planned gift so we can process your membership in The Cornerstone Society. An ultimate gift can cap off a lifetime of dedicated support of the college and its mission, and have a profound effect on the future of education at AIC.
