• Why Give
  • Donor Story - Doug and Mary Sanders
  • Donor Story - Laurie Wermter
  • Donor Story - Cathy and Dan Mundt, Sr.
  • Donor Story - Sue and Dan Riley
  • Donor Story - Phil and Babs Strom
• How to give
  • Getting Started
  • What To Give
• Giving Now
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  • Create A Fund
• Giving Later
  • Legacy Circle
    • Legacy Circle Members
  • President's Circle
    • President's Circle Members
• Fund Options
  • Benefits of an Organizational Endowment
• Professional Advisors
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  • Gift Options
  • FAQs
• Donor Resources

Insure Your Legacy Today

Northern Wisconsin native Laurie Wermter now spends her days as a reference librarian at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Despite moving hundreds of miles away, though, she remains committed to her hometown community. “The libraries in Superior provided so much in my life,” says Wermter. “I wanted to make sure I give back to them someday, but life is so uncertain that I knew I needed to do what I could do today to ensure I could support them regardless of what happens to me.”

After reaching out to her professional financial advisor Patty Krarup, she learned of an option that provides her tax breaks today and guarantees that the non-profits she cares about most will benefit in perpetuity. “Purchasing a life insurance policy in a non-profit’s name is just one of the many ways a client can reach their charitable goals,” Krarup explains. “In Laurie’s case, this option made the most sense.”

After approaching several non-profits about which she was passionate and trusted, Wermter determined the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation was the best fit. By working with the Community Foundation, Wermter was able to purchase one policy for the Community Foundation that will benefit multiple organizations including the public library and archives in Superior. In addition, Wermter enjoys an annual tax deduction because the Community Foundation is a
501 (c)(3) and therefore the premium she pays for the policy counts as a charitable contribution.

Krarup says it is important for people to know that this option benefits medium income folks. “Donating your life insurance policy provides a lot of flexibility for the donor. In addition to having flexibility in the size of the policy, there is also flexibility in how quickly you pay for the policy.”

“The forward thinking of my professional financial advisor and the Community Foundation helped me ensure that the organizations I’m passionate about will receive a larger benefit from me than if I had just left them in my estate plan,” Wermter says. “I’m grateful to both for their willingness to work with me to achieve my philanthropic goals in a way that’s financially feasible for me today.”