Valerie never thought she could help Concordia, especially since her four children were a clear priority. However, she found a way of making a big difference while also supporting her family.
For alumna Valerie Sellmeyer (class of 1986 cum laude), Concordia University, St. Paul has always been about connections. Growing up, her father was a minister and she liked the idea of being with other students oriented to God. She also knew she wanted to attend a college where she would not be lost in the crowd. She wanted to be part of a community, to belong. Concordia was her clear choice for those connections that count.
During college and now a few years beyond, those connections endure, and recently Valerie made a new Concordia connection that will last forever. A few months ago, Valerie wanted to see what she could do to add to Concordia's endowment. She needed to pass on the passionate feelings she had for her alma mater to future generations. However, she was not sure what to do, or if she was capable of doing anything at all. Valerie did not consider herself wealthy, and never thought she would be capable of making a gift that would change Concordia, especially since her first priority was her children. Yet, she was convinced she wanted to do something.
Valerie began asking questions to her Thrivent advisor and to Matt Steiner at Concordia. She was not sure what to ask, or even where to begin, but as she shared her wishes with her advisor and Matt Steiner, she learned about something called a testamentary charitable remainder unitrust. Although the name sounded complicated, what it did was simple — and turned out to be just what she wanted.
To complete it, she just told her attorney her priorities and he added a provision in her will creating it. When she dies, her assets go into the trust. She told the attorney how many years she wanted the trust to last. During that time, the trust will pay a percentage of its assets to her children. Even as it does, it will be invested and hopefully grow. After the trust has served its purpose for her children, all money left in it will be distributed to Concordia as well as a few other charities of her choosing, including one establishing an endowment at a seminary in her father's memory.
The will her attorney drafted will have many advantages for Valerie and her family. It will:
- Provide income for her children.
- Support the causes she loves.
- Be easy to adjust as she grows older and if priorities change.
- Be part of a strategic estate plan that follows her passions and aids her family.
If you ask Valerie why she established this trust in her will, she will tell you it is because she always felt connected to Concordia and still does. She wants others to have the same experience. Valerie created the gift because she wants students to "follow the urgings God has placed on their hearts" at Concordia.
As Valerie reflects on her decision, she feels passionately that she "made the right choices." Matt Steiner was patient, answered all her questions and gave her information so she could make informed decisions. If you want to learn more about how you can provide for your loved ones and cherished causes, call Mark Hill at 651-641-8223 or email him at hill@csp.edu or visit our gift planning website. You don't have to have all the right answers or even the right questions, just a desire to do something for yourself and others.