Alumni & Friends

Her Love and Her Legacy Live On

Betty Geer

Betty Geer

Betty Geer loved her hometown and her hometown college. Geer lived modestly and didn't especially like attention. No one suspected that she was capable of giving back to North Iowa in the way she did.

Geer demonstrated her affection by leaving a large portion of her estate to establish the Betty Geer Scholarship through the NIACC Foundation. The scholarship assists Mason City and Newman Catholic High School students attending North Iowa Area Community College. By Geer's careful planning, the Mason City native and former bank teller was able to leave a substantial financial gift as well as a large vote of confidence in NIACC and NIACC students.

In the 14 years since Betty's death in 2003, 662 students have been award over $612,000 through her generosity. Clarissa Brincks is one of those recipients.

Brincks graduated from Mason City High School in 2009 and had taken college classes during high school. Brincks always loved clothing and fashion but, she says, she wanted to go the "smart" and "practical" route by studying to become a nurse. She withdrew from NIACC in the spring of her first year, as she really didn't know what she wanted to do. She was not fully committed and had not done well in her pre-nursing classes.

Clarissa Brincks

Clarissa Brincks

After a two-year break and working as an assistant manager at American Eagle Outfitters, Brincks knew she wouldn't be content until she got her degree. The Betty Geer Scholarship awarded to Brincks upon her return to NIACC in 2012, proved to be the final push to her earning an AA degree. Brincks went on to obtain her bachelor's degree in Textiles and Apparel from the University of Northern Iowa.

"I was so grateful for the donation made by Betty Geer and the scholarship awarded to me in her name. This gave me the courage to finally pursue my true life's passion," noted Brincks.

Brincks went on to intern with SHEEX, LLC, a performance-fabric bedding company started by former All-American and WNBA player Michelle Marciniak and Susan Walvius, former coach for the University of South Carolina. At SHEEX, Brincks assisted in trend development for the upcoming seasons. She was later offered a position but didn't want to leave the Midwest to relocate to Florida.

Brincks now works as the Sourcing and Production specialist at Minneapolis-based Creative Apparel Concepts. Brincks is doing what she loves because of a choice she made to be persistent and earn her degree, with the help of a woman named Betty Geer.

Learn More

Like Betty Geer, you can make a difference in students' lives with a gift from your estate. Contact Molly Knoll today at 641-422-4404 or foundation@niacc.edu for more information.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to the NIACC Foundation 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

"I bequeath to North Iowa Area Community College Foundation, EIN 23-7023677, presently located at 500 College Drive, Mason City, Iowa 50401, [written amount or percentage or fraction of estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use."

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 NIACC 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 NIACC 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 NIACC 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 NIACC Foundation where you agree to make a gift to the NIACC 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.

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