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Love of Jazz, Love of TU

Mary Lewis

A love for jazz and her alma mater led Mary Lewis to create an endowed scholarship for TU music students who also share her passion for jazz.

New Orleans—the birthplace of jazz. It's one of Mary Lewis' favorite places to visit and the reason she started an endowed scholarship at Tiffin University.

"I have visited New Orleans seven times," says Mary, Class of 1986. Several trips were with her husband as he traveled for business, and a few others were with tour groups. The history, food, culture and music captivated Mary.

It had been years since Mary heard New Orleans jazz until she attended TU's annual Christmas at The Ritz in 2016. The N'awlins Ensemble, a traditional street band that captures the sounds of New Orleans, caught her attention. Hearing the N'awlins Ensemble took Mary down memory lane and reminded her of her passion for jazz music. It sparked a philanthropic desire in Mary, and she created an endowed scholarship for TU students who participate in the music program with a preference for jazz music. So far, three students have received the scholarship.

"It's important to support students financially," she says. "I initially wasn't able to complete my college degree because my parents couldn't afford it."

Mary began her college journey right after high school, but she could not finish due to finances. It was a personal goal to complete a bachelor's degree, so she took a nontraditional path and returned to school later in life.

After moving to Tiffin, she attended Tiffin University part-time—all the while balancing a job and family life. Her college journey took nearly 10 years, but earning a diploma was worth all the hard work. She was a first-generation college student, graduating in 1986 with a bachelor's in business administration.

Giving back to students is important to Mary. She understands firsthand what it is like to need financial assistance to earn a degree. Higher education comes at a cost that not every family can afford. "Financial help can be life-changing. I give to support those students who cannot afford an education so they can achieve their goals."

Mary's legacy will leave a lasting impact, and her passion for jazz music will continue through students at TU.

Make an Impact at Tiffin

You can create a meaningful impact on our students and programs by including a gift to Tiffin University in your estate plan. Contact Mitchell P. Blonde, CFRE at blondemp@tiffin.edu or 419.448.3584 to learn about your giving options.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Tiffin 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 Tiffin University, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 155 Miami Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883, 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 TU 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 TU 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 TU 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 TU where you agree to make a gift to TU 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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