Alumni & Friends

A Family Legacy

George and Noreen CoyanOne of life's challenges is to value the moment while also planning for the future. The Coyan family has found a perfect way to do that through their family scholarship at NIACC. Recently renamed from the George Coyan Memorial Scholarship to the George and Noreen Coyan Memorial Scholarship, the Coyan scholarship has been a family affair for 25 years.

George was a NIACC history and sociology instructor for more than 30 years (1958-1990) who influenced many students during his teaching career. Noreen, who passed away in January at the age of 84, joined NIACC in 1960 and retired as the human resources director in 1997.

Originally established in 1995 when George passed away, the scholarship has been supported by the entire family. "A donation was always a preferred Mother's Day, birthday or Christmas gift," says daughter Candice.

The family has also supported the scholarship through payroll deductions and gift-matching through employers. At Noreen's passing, an additional endowment gift through her estate was made to support the scholarship.

All of the Coyan children, Candice, Greg and Rodney, chose NIACC first. "NIACC has always been important to our family," says Candice. "This scholarship is a very special way for us to remember and honor our parents and continue to invest in NIACC students."

The scholarship award is designated for a sophomore education major.

If you would like more information on creating a legacy through a family scholarship or planned gift, contact Molly Knoll at 641-422-4404 or foundation@niacc.edu.

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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