How Does Charitable Giving Create Customized Estate Planning Solutions? Kevin Westerman '11, J.D., Shares More

My role with the Texas A&M Foundation has allowed me to cross paths with thousands of Texas A&M University supporters over the years. Some are married with large families, and some are single. Some work as public servants, while others own private businesses. Some are loud and proud Fightin’ Texas Aggies, and others are University of Texas graduates whose lives were touched by an Aggie. Despite the many differences, they often share this commonality: They want to use their hard-earned assets to create a legacy at Texas A&M that is meaningful to them and their loved ones.  

Anecdotally, the majority of these donors are surprised when they learn how customized their giving can be. Whether they hope to minimize tax liability, distribute wealth in a fair and tax-efficient manner to heirs, secure lifetime payments to supplement retirement income or more, charitable gifts — made today or planned with estate assets tomorrow — can offer a rewarding and out-of-the-box solution to your specific financial and estate planning concerns.
 

How do we bring these customized charitable plans to life? Partnership. We not only partner with our donors but also with their trusted advisors: tax planners, estate planning attorneys and financial professionals. And because our team of credentialed planners — consisting of six attorneys, one Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® and a paralegal — are highly educated in these areas, they not only talk the talk but also add value to each unique donor conversation. 

Many Aggies and friends of Texas A&M have invited our team to the “planning table” as they worked through their financial and estate plans. As these donors crafted tailored strategies that combined their assets with who they love and what they want to support, it’s been nothing short of an honor to walk beside them. Texas A&M truly becomes part of their family through this partnership, and working with them on such individualized plans allows us to broaden our knowledge base to better serve the future Aggies who will do the same. 

Whether you created your estate plans years ago or are just now researching the topic, know that our team is here and excited to partner with you and your team of trusted advisors to create a charitable plan that will benefit you and Aggieland for many years to come. 

Gig ’em, 

Kevin Westerman ’11, J.D. 
Assistant Vice President for Charitable Gift Planning