Augsburg Associates Report Having 'Too Much Fun' While Raising Significant Support for Scholarships

Donor Photo

Sylvia Lee Sabo and Joyce Hauge '63 with scholarship recipients

Sometimes a treasured possession gets hidden away and forgotten. Sometimes we don't even realize how special that treasure is and what finding it might do to help others. With a goal to raise funds for Augsburg, the Augsburg Associates conduct estate sales. One family, whose belongings were being sold, told the Associates to include in the sale a bag stored for years in the family's garage. Peeking in at the top, nothing looked valuable-just wrinkly, outdated baby clothing.

An Augsburg Associate took the bag home to launder the contents and discovered a beautiful baptismal gown. She carefully ironed it and showed it later to the daughter in the family, who exclaimed: "I recognize that gown from pictures. It is my baptismal gown. This means so much to me. I would love to purchase it and keep it." She was delighted, and the Associate was delighted to have preserved a treasure for the family.

Associates Take Pride in the Service They Provide to the College and Community

Augsburg Associates, 90 members strong, serve the college and the people they assist by hosting estate sales. According to Lennore Bevis '66, president of the Associates: "We serve the larger community by being very respectful of the people for whom we conduct sales-of their homes, and of their belongings, and by conducting sales in a positive, friendly, caring way."

For their efforts in organizing, cleaning, pricing, and selling the household items, the Associates receive one third of the sale proceeds. With three to six sales per year, they generate a lot of good will and resources.

Donor Photo

Working together for higher education

Velkommen Jul Brunch Adds to Fundraising Totals
Additional fundraising occurs through Associate membership fees, hosting the Velkommen Jul brunch and a Scandinavian boutique the first weekend in Advent, and hosting a spring brunch.

The Associates raise funds to provide scholarships to Augsburg students. Liz Horton, a longtime Associate whose son Christopher graduated from Augsburg in 1981, says: "We feel we are doing something important to help. When we see students on campus, we know how important it is to help them get an education."

In 1996, The Associates set up an endowed scholarship fund. Earnings from the endowment provide a scholarship each year, and additional dollars raised throughout the year sponsor the Christensen Scholars.

The Associates also gave $50,000 to the Center for Science, Business and Religion.

Giving Back in Meaningful Ways, Individually and Collectively

"The whole attitude in our organization" Bevis explains, "is members giving of themselves and serving the community. We like to share what has been given to us. We give back in meaningful ways by working together. The generosity of our group sometimes leads individual members to make their own personal gifts to the college."

Kathleen Gabrielson '79, a longtime Associate, recently established an endowed scholarship fund in memory of her husband, Dr. Stephen "Gabe" Gabrielson, now deceased, who taught music at Augsburg throughout his entire career. She said: "Gabe gave everything of himself to Augsburg, including teaching extra classes without pay when he was young. Later I graduated from the college, and both of our children are Auggies: Elizabeth '89 and Joseph '91. We are an Augsburg family. Being an Associate is a way to continue with the Augsburg community, enjoying friendships and supporting the college."

Bevis says that Associates are graduates and also friends of the college who are family members of graduates, faculty, or staff, or who are simply impressed by the spirit of giving and want to be a part of it. She says: "Before my husband Roger '63 became ill and died, he enjoyed helping with Associates volunteer projects. Men can be members or affiliated members." She said they decided to volunteer together as a couple because "we wanted to give both our time and our money to Augsburg. What appealed to us about the Associates was the service aspect."

"The People are my Favorite Thing"

Barbara "Bunny" Larson '63, an Associate for almost a decade, says: "The people are my favorite thing. I like my fellow volunteers. We have so much fun together. I have never been around a group that is so supportive. And I hope that the Associates will attract newer members and continue in the next generation."

Liz Horton adds: "What we do is have way too much fun. It's fun to be with people who want to make a difference."

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Augsburg University 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 Augsburg University, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 2211 Riverside Ave., CB 142, Minneapolis, MN 55454, 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 Augsburg University 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 Augsburg University 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 Augsburg University 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 Augsburg University where you agree to make a gift to Augsburg University 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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