Donor Profile

Bill Stoffer

A Lifetime of Giving A longtime member of the Albion College board of trustees, Bill Stoffer (Albion) is proud to be one of the youngest nominated, and now the longest serving, trustees in the

News

Sigma Nu Educational Foundation, Inc. Partners with Publishing Concepts, Inc. (PCI) for Official Fraternity Directory

The Sigma Nu Educational Foundation has partnered with Publishing Concepts, Inc. (PCI) to conduct a campaign to update member’s contact information and produce a membership directory later this year.

A New Year's Resolution to Keep

Preparing or updating a will and getting a comprehensive review of your estate plan is vital to your family's financial security and peace of mind.

Will 2012 Taxes Affect You?

While your estate is exempt from estate taxes if it is worth less than $5.12 million this year, change is not far off. Come 2013, if Congress doesn't make additional changes, this amount drops to $1 million. That means, for every dollar you own above the $1 million exemption, it will be subject to federal estate taxes upon your death.

Real-Life Estate Planning Blunder

After a rich lifetime—that has undoubtedly included many ups and downs—you can probably relate with real-life couple Andy and Debra.1 Like most families, they have been through hardships—Andy was on disability for 10 years because of debilitating arthritis. But nothing shocked them quite like the moment when Debra, who had been able to work full time as a receptionist at a credit union, was diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.

Build Your Advisory Dream Team

As financial and tax matters become increasingly complex, certain professionals offer skills and expertise to assist you in formulating your estate plans. The best way to find qualified professionals is to ask family and friends in your area for references.

10 Important Questions to Ask Your Parents

Are you wondering if your parents have their estate and inheritance plans in order? Here's help posing the right questions in a sensitive way.

How to Name Us as a Beneficiary

If you're considering changing the beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance to benefit Sigma Nu Fraternity but are worried that the process may be inconvenient and complicated, you're about to be pleasantly surprised. Changing your beneficiary designations is surprisingly straightforward and relatively hassle-free.

Even 1 Percent Matters

You may think you don't have enough money to donate and make any kind of impact, but that simply isn't true. Your gift, no matter the size, can ensure a future for Sigma Nu Educational Foundation, Inc. and influence the lives of those who rely on it.

Erroneous Promises Threaten to Foil Estate Plan

Hartford E. Bealer was a wealthy man who died at the age of 93 with an estate worth more than $22 million. One of his assets was a nearly 300-acre farm that he wanted preserved for future generations.

Case Study: If It's in His Name, It's His

If you are contemplating putting anyone else's name (besides your spouse) on any type of financial account or deed, check with your estate planning attorney first. Why? Consider the following story that resulted in a lawsuit that took four years to resolve and caused much family turmoil.

Your Will: Overhaul vs. Update

Because change occurs in our lives all the time, it is important to keep estate plans up to date. But how do you know which situations simply require updating your existing will with a codicil and which ones necessitate a whole new will? This guide can help.

Myth Busters: The Real Scoop on Your Estate Plan

Do-it-yourself wills and trusts, waiting until there is a reason to write a will, assuming your will or trust covers everyting. Learn more about common misconceptions about wills and trusts.

The Sad End to an Unwritten Estate Plan

You can protect your loved ones from the unnecessary confusion and heartache illustrated in these two stories by taking the time to get your estate plans in order today.

Keep Family First While Making a Difference

Learn how easy it is to extend the support you have offered throughout your lifetime for years to come with a gift in your will or living trust, called a bequest.

How Does Your Generosity Affect Your Kids?

Learn the results of a scientific study where researchers investigated the 31 percent of Americans aged 30+ who expect to or have already received an inheritance.

A Generous Nature May Lead to a Long Life

As more baby boomers near retirement, the importance of "aging well" has gained significant attention. Research suggests that having a positive sense of purpose and an expression of goals can affect your well-being—even helping to fight disease.

When Passing Assets to Loved Ones Doesn't Pay

More than likely, a substantial portion of your savings is in your retirement plan. As you plan your estate, you may be considering how to use those savings to benefit loved ones. But did you know that your most valuable assets may also constitute the biggest tax bill for your heirs?

How to Name Us as Beneficiary

Changing your retirement plan beneficiary designations is a straightforward and relatively hassle-free way to make a gift to Sigma Nu.

Introducing a New Family Tradition

If you worry about your charitable giving traditions disappearing after you're gone, check out these tips on bringing your loved ones into the loop. With some open communication, you may be surprised to find that your favorite causes will be the recipient of your family's support for generations to come.

What Happens to Your Will After You're Gone?

After a lifetime of maintaining your will, you may be wondering what exactly happens to it after you pass away. Well, after your lifetime, your will goes through what is known as probate, the legal procedure by which the courts oversee that your assets are properly distributed.

Four Easy Steps to Including Us in Your Will

Remembering Sigma Nu Educational Foundation, Inc. in your estate plans is the most enduring statement you can make about your belief in our mission. The support you have offered throughout your lifetime can go on for years to come.

Is That Your Calling, Calling?

What inspires the good you do?

Five Steps to Better Protect Your Kids

One of the most important steps you can take toward providing peace of mind for yourself and security for your children—and their inheritance—is to create or update your will.

Surviving the Unthinkable

Keep this checklist close by through the first six months after you've lost a loved one. It is our hope that in a future time of grieving, you will find it to be a helpful resource.

What Do Mom and Dad Really Want?

If your parents enjoy supporting causes that are close to their hearts and feel as though they already have enough "things," pay tribute to Mom and Dad by making a charitable donation to Sigma Nu Educational Foundation, Inc.

How to Make All the Difference in the World

How a family uses its money usually starts with the care of family members, addressing basic needs such as the mortgage, medical costs and tuition bills.

3 Cases: Planning Rewards and Planning Wrecks

See how these three cases validate the need for proper estate planning.

Guess What? The Kids Won't Mind

In a scientific study, researchers posed the following question to the 31 percent of Americans aged 30+ who expect to or have already received an inheritance. Here are the results.

Plan Today and Put Away Regrets

Rare is the person who regrets having been truly generous or thoughtful. Yet how can you give away property, securities or real estate now if you do not know whether you or your family will need those assets later?

Is Your Estate in Good Hands?

After acquiring numerous assets and valuable belongings, the need for an up-to-date estate plan becomes very important. When you have an updated plan, you can ensure that the people and causes you care about receive what you intend after you are gone.

4 Tips for Saving Money in Retirement

Here are four tips that can help you save money in retirement.

Are You a Candidate for a Trust?

A trust is an arrangement in which property is managed by one person or entity for the benefit of another. It can be a solution to potential estate problems. Consider the following factors to decide if you need a trust and which is best suited to your situation.

Helping Others Pays in So Many Ways

When it comes to supporting our long-term future, the charitable gift annuity (CGA) is one method favored by many of our donors. When you set up a CGA with Sigma Nu Educational Foundation, Inc., we'll provide you with lifetime payments that remain constant even with a fluctuating stock market.

The Charitable IRA Rollover Is Back!

President Obama signed legislation extending the charitable IRA rollover for 2010 and 2011. This allows individuals 70½ or older to make tax-free gifts to qualified charitable organizations, like Sigma Nu Educational Foundation, Inc., using funds transferred directly from their IRAs.

Year End Thank You

Please accept our sincere thanks for your dedication and support of the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation.

Retirement Readiness: Where Do You Stand?

Follow these two easy steps to see if you're ready to enjoy your retirement and the best years yet. What you discover will help your financial advisor help you.

Boost Your Income for Retirement

For many people, contributions to IRAs, 401(k) plans and other retirement plans are limited. The deferred payment gift annuity is a good way to provide the additional retirement income you desire.

Case Study: Why Have a Will?

After a long lifetime, you have developed values that you hold dear and a family that you love. Make sure the people and organizations you care about most benefit in the exact manner you have intended after your lifetime by having a will.

Building Upon the Rock Campaign a Success!

Sigma Nu Educational Foundation's first nationally coordinated capital campaign concluded successfully at Grand Chapter.

Tips on Organizing Your Financial Documents

It starts out innocently enough—an ATM receipt here, a monthly account statement there. Before long, the small stack of papers on your kitchen counter isn't so small any more. Take the following steps to get a handle on your financial paperwork.

What to Store in a Safe-Deposit Box

Over the years you've amassed a great number of valuable documents, and those papers do not belong in a box under your mattress. A safe-deposit box is a secure place to store items that would cause panic if lost.

3 Must-Haves Before You Travel

While the possibility of having a medical emergency that causes serious injury or death is the last thing you want to think about before taking an extended trip, the reality is the unexpected does sometimes occur, and being prepared can prove invaluable.

Avoid One Couple's Planning Mistake

Paul and Frances married in 1975 and each had children from a prior marriage. In 1985 the couple prepared new wills. The provisions in each will left one-half of their assets to the surviving spouse and the other half to their children from their previous marriages.