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Sustaining Public Media Builds a Strong Community

Susan Eidson

Susan Eidson's passion for public broadcasting and education moved her to make a lasting impact and continue her support of KRWG and NMSU through a planned gift.

When Susan Eidson first arrived in Las Cruces 15 years ago, she immediately sought out the local PBS and NPR stations. She first gave financial support to KRWG as a member, but became more involved over time after realizing how embedded it was in her life.

"Every radio in my house and in my car goes first to the NPR station," Susan says. "It's such a daily part of my life that I would miss it terribly if I didn't have access to it."

Susan, formerly a contemporary dancer and dance instructor at University of the District of Columbia, picked retirement in Las Cruces because it met two of her needs—having thriving public radio and television stations and having a strong university.

"I count on getting informative shows either locally or nationally that keep me apprised of multiple points of view," she says.

As a community resource, KRWG-FM is meant to be supported by the listeners, like Susan, who tune in daily.

KRWG Logo"Even a monthly gift of just 5 to 10 dollars adds up if listeners and viewers join in on supporting KRWG," Susan says. "People will step up because they realize they can't afford to be without it."

Also invaluable to Susan are the activities she finds at NMSU, such as lectures, theater performances and basketball games.

"The university is a land-grant school, which means its mission is to reach out to the community," Susan says. "To sustain and strengthen that relationship, the community also needs to reach out to the university."

After her attendance at the NMSU Foundation's Estate Planning Conference for Women-a day full of information about how women should consider their financial legacy-Susan learned how she could continue her support of KRWG and NMSU in perpetuity through an endowment.

Now, Susan's planned gift from her estate will support KRWG, along with NMSU's Kinesiology and Dance department in the College of Education.

"Most people who acquired money have earned it and worked hard to get it. What better use of that money-after providing for your family-than to give part of it to education?" she asks. "To see it grow, and to educate those coming up behind us-what is a better use of your money?"

Create Your NMSU Legacy

Contact Steven Covington at (575) 646-3190 or (800) 342-6678 or plannedgiving@nmsufoundation.org to discover the many ways that you can follow Susan's lead and make a gift that broadcasts your passion for NMSU and KRWG.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to the New Mexico State University 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 give to the New Mexico State University Foundation, a nonprofit corporation currently located at P.O. Box 3590, Las Cruces, NM 88003, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

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 NMSU 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 NMSU's 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 NMSU 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 NMSU 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 NMSU Foundation where you agree to make a gift to the NMSU 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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