4-H has loyal community supporters. Supporters who care about longevity and legacy – not only within our personal families, but within our 4-H family and community. 4-H also has generations that have grown up through the program and have become an extended family.

Those who care deeply about 4-H can be a 4-H super hero by leaving a legacy through a planned gift. Examples can include everything from a simple bequest – leaving a percentage of your assets – to stock gifts in support of 4-H.

While a survey conducted by Caring.com indicates only 42 percent of U.S. adults currently have a will, it can be a rewarding process to work through for you, your family and causes you care deeply for.

Estate planning is critical to managing your assets and protecting your family. A will provides clear direction for the distribution of your estate. Donors may bequeath a specific amount, a percentage of the estate, or a residual after other distributions from an estate are fulfilled to support Michigan 4-H.

In addition to bequests and stock gifts, additional types of planned/deferred gifts include:

• Testamentary charitable remainder trusts.
• Charitable remainder unitrusts.
• Charitable gift annuities.
• Life estate contracts.
• Gifts of life insurance policies or retirement funds.
• Charitable lead trusts.

Additional Planned Gift Considerations

• Planned gifts may establish a new or grow an existing perpetual named endowment or fund.
• Gifts of any type may be designated to support a specific 4-H program area, county 4-H program, Kettunen Center or the Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens. Unrestricted gifts may also be made to support future and emerging needs of 4-H youth development.
• Documented planned gift donors qualify for recognition in the A.G. Kettunen Society during their lifetime.

If you are interested in exploring planned gift options in support of 4-H, please contact Carrie Horstman, assistant development director for 4-H, at (517) 353-7075 or by e-mail at greenca5@msu.edu, to verify that your gift intent can be met. Consulting with personal legal counsel and/or a tax adviser for definitive assessment of the tax benefits of and limitations on planned gifts is also recommended.

An estate gift from Gogebic County 4-H alum Lewis Bordeaux will help sustain the work of the Michigan 4-H Foundation and its support for Michigan 4-H Youth Development.

In appreciation for the solid foundation 4-H provided to his life, Bordeaux made a planned gift to 4-H in the area of greatest need by naming the Michigan 4-H Foundation as a beneficiary of his estate. He passed away on July 23, 2022.

Bordeaux was a University of Michigan graduate who began his career abroad in 1970 as an international affairs and training specialist. He was located in the Middle East with the Raytheon Corporation and Avco Overseas Corporation, serving as an English language instructor and interpreter for the Royal Saudi Air Defense Corps and the Royal Saudi Coast Guard. Bordeaux then worked for 20 years as a flight services and safety instructor and director for English language and computer training for the Saudi Arabian Airlines. He retired in 2007 after serving 10 years with the Booz Allen Hamilton Company as a senior training specialist with the Royal Saudi Navy, though he continued to serve as a special training consultant for the Saudi Arabian Airlines.

Bordeaux, who was inducted into the Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society in 2010, shared that his experience as a Gogebic County 4-H member prepared him for his career and life abroad. He served as a member of county, Upper Peninsula and state 4-H service clubs; a National 4-H Conference delegate in 1962 and a Michigan IFYE delegate to Japan in 1966. He was also a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer to India in 1968 and was a life member of the IFYE Association of the USA, attending 30 European IFYE conferences, three U.S. National IFYE Conferences and three World IFYE Conferences. As an IFYE USA Association member, Bordeaux contributed to the ongoing involvement of 4-H youth members in intercultural learning activities at local, county, state, regional, national and international levels. He served on the National IFYE Association board from 1998 to 2001.

Bordeaux’s estate gift qualified him for membership in the Cornerstone Society. Donors who document a planned gift are recognized as A.G. Kettunen Society members. Established in 2007, this society provides lifetime recognition to donors who have made documented future gifts to 4-H. It allows donors to share their wishes and the impact they would like to see their gifts make to benefit Michigan’s youth. A.G. Kettunen Society members receive a recognition certificate, permanent acknowledgement as legacy donors in the annual report, and, for gifts that exceed $25,000 at maturity, recognition as Cornerstone Society members.

The Michigan 4-H Foundation invites any donor considering a planned gift to contact the foundation at 517-353-6692 to verify that the intent of the gift can be met.

In 2022, the Michigan 4-H Foundation received a generous in-kind donation of China porcelain art from Wu-Hiung and Jusina Tseng of Cary, North Carolina. The couple previously resided in Michigan and were in the process of relocating out of state. Instead of moving the art with them, the Tsengs decided to donate the pieces to support youth China art programming and education. After a search online, the couple found Michigan 4-H, thanks to the 4-H China Art Exchange program, and reached out to see if their gift could help to support similar youth programming.

The Michigan 4-H Foundation is working with fine art auction company DuMouchelles to offer these items for sale, with the proceeds supporting Michigan 4-H global and cultural programming. The art collection has been separated into three tiers of items to be offered at three different times. The first sale took place in April and the second in May. Items in the third tier will be available for preview June 24–28 at www.dumoart.com/ to be sold at June 29–30.
The auctions will contain items from multiple entities. To receive a list of the lot numbers from the Michigan 4-H Foundation, please contact Julie Arter at jarter@msu.edu or 517-353-4437.

Estate gift helps Make the Match
Lana Dart leaves estate gift to 4-H

As an Ingham County 4-H alumna and former Calhoun County 4-H staff person, Lana Dart knew the impact that 4-H can have on young people’s lives. She made it her tradition to give to the Michigan 4-H Foundation each year since 1989.

Over the years, Dart gave to a variety of 4-H programs, including Kettunen Center renovations, the Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens, the Michigan 4-H Legacy Fund and most recently, the County 4-H Endowment Match Pool and the Ingham County 4-H Endowment. The match pool provides a 1:1 match for gifts from 4-H clubs, volunteers, parents, members, staff members and friends to build county 4-H endowments.

Before Dart passed away last fall, she had made a planned gift for a portion of her estate to support the area of greatest need for 4-H. The Michigan 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees has allocated the gift to help match gifts to the Make the Match County 4-H Endowment Campaign to honor where Dart’s most recent gifts were given.

In an interview several years ago, Dart shared why she felt it was important to give back to 4-H.

“It’s a program that I think has value,” she said. “While I’m not an active participant in the program at this time, it goes back to the wonderful experiences that I had as a 4-H member. You remember you were in 4-H and the experiences that came along for you, and it triggers the thought of giving.

“I think you get into a pattern of giving,” she said. “Certain organizations are on your pattern of giving each year. It may not be the same amount, but it’s important that you give every year,” she said.

Dart, of Lansing, passed away on Nov. 30, 2017. She graduated from Mason High School and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University (MSU) where she was a member of the Mortar Board Honor Society. She began her career as an MSU Extension home economist and 4-H agent in Calhoun County. She was employed with MSU for 33 years before retiring in 1992. She was an elder, deacon and a clerk of the Session for Mason First Presbyterian Church. Dart also served as a board member of the Ingham County Fair. She was a member of the Lansing Women’s Club, and a member and officer of the Mason College Club.

Estate gifts, such as this gift from Dart, are considered a type of planned gift. Documenting and planning a future gift to support 4-H can leave a legacy for years to come. Planned gift donors are recognized as members of the A.G. Kettunen Society to provide lifetime recognition to donors who have made documented future gifts to 4-H. Documenting a planned gift allows donors to share their wishes and the impact they would like to see their gifts make to benefit Michigan’s youth. A.G. Kettunen Society members receive a recognition certificate, permanent acknowledgment as legacy donors in the annual report, and, for gifts that exceed $25,000 at maturity, recognition as Cornerstone Society members.

Any donor considering a planned gift may contact Amanda Masters, assistant development director for 4-H, at 517-884-4691 or by email at amasters@msu.edu to verify that your gift intent can be met.

The Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens has received several distributions from the estate of Owen G. Barr, of Grand Ledge.

Barr was born July 15, 1921, in Delaware Twp., Ohio, and passed away Sept. 3, 2014, in Lansing, Michigan. Owen was the owner of Lansing Ice and Fuel and a veteran of WWII, serving in the U.S. Army. He took great pride in caring for his house and yard along with giving back to his community.

Estate gifts can make a difference by meeting critical needs for 4-H, and in this case, the Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens.

“The gardens exist on private funding. When estate gifts are received, they are turned right back around to developing the program and supporting the staff that works at the gardens,” said Norm Lownds, Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden curator. “The 4-H Children’s Gardens depend on donations for it to even exist.”

Thanks to Barr’s generosity, several upgrades to the Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens have been made possible in preparation for the Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens’ 25th anniversary next year. The renovations being made will help enhance and expand the efforts to connect kids to plants and the environment.

“Estate gifts allow us to enhance and expand both the physical 4-H Children’s Gardens and the programs that we offer. These gifts allow us to continually meet the changing needs of teachers, students and parents in ways that enable kids to experience plants in new and exciting ways,” Lownds said.

Estate gifts are considered a type of planned gift. Planned gift donors who provide documentation of their legacy commitments for 4-H in advance are recognized as members of the A.G. Kettunen Society. Established in 2007, this society allows donors to share their wishes and the impact they would like to see their gift make to benefit Michigan’s youth. A.G. Kettunen Society members receive a recognition certificate, permanent acknowledgement as legacy donors in the foundation’s annual report, and, for gifts that exceed $25,000 at maturity, recognition as Cornerstone Society members.

“An estate gift to the 4-H Children’s Gardens is an excellent way to leave a legacy that will impact the community and next generations. Support will ensure that our world-class children’s garden and its world-class educational opportunities are available to children and families for years to come. Support provides opportunities for children to experience plants in ways that will impact them for the rest of their lives. Estate gifts help to ensure that the amazing space that is the 4-H Children’s Gardens will be here for kids to experience for the next 25 years and beyond,” Lownds said.

If you are considering any type of planned gift, please contact Amanda Masters, assistant development director for 4-H, at (517) 884-4691 or by e-mail at amasters@msu.edu to verify that your gift intent can be met.

 

Photo cutline: Thanks to an estate gift from Owen G. Barr, several upgrades to the Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens have been made possible in preparation for the Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens’ 25th anniversary next year.

An estate gift from Roderick and Shirley Parsch will help sustain the work of the Michigan 4-H Foundation and its support for Michigan 4-H Youth Development.

Lapeer County 4-H alumnus Rod Parsch served as a Michigan 4-H Foundation trustee from 1964 until his death in 1990. He was posthumously honored as a trustee emeritus. Parsch served as Michigan 4-H Foundation president from 1970 to 1973, chaired the resource development committee and was instrumental in leading fundraising activities on behalf of the foundation.

Parsch was the CEO of Lapeer County Bank and Trust Company from 1956 to 1984. He continued to serve as board chair after his retirement in 1986. He served in World War II, receiving two Purple Hearts, the Silver Star and the Bronze Star. He was active
in several banking associations and served as president of the Independent Bankers Association of America. Additionally, he was active in many Lapeer organizations, including the hospital board and the St. Vincent DePaul Society. He graduated from the School of Banking, University of Wisconsin, and also served on the faculty of Ball State University.

During his tenure on the Michigan 4-H Foundation board, Parsch realized the power of planned giving. Parsch named the Michigan 4-H Foundation as a beneficiary of his trust upon the death of the survivor. Parsch died Feb. 19, 1990; Shirley passed away this past March.

The Parschs’ estate gift qualified them for membership in the Cornerstone Society and also the Founders Society, a new society recognizing donors of $10,000 or more to the Founders Fund Endowment or those who make an unrestricted planned gift that, when received, can be used to grow the foundation’s long-term reserve.

Planned gift donors are recognized as members of the A.G. Kettunen Society, established in 2007 to provide lifetime recognition to donors who have made documented future gifts to 4-H. It allows donors to share their wishes and the impact they would like to see their gifts make to benefit Michigan’s youth. A.G. Kettunen Society members receive a recognition certificate, permanent acknowledgement as legacy donors in the annual report, and, for gifts that exceed $25,000 at maturity, recognition as Cornerstone Society members.

The Michigan 4-H Foundation invites any donor considering a planned gift to contact the foundation at (517) 353-6692 to verify that the intent of the gift can be met.