A Will to Lead: Sue Loiland and Jennie Griek ’02 join PLU’s planned giving team

While not new to PLU, Sue Loiland (parent of a 2012 graduate) and Jennie Griek have recently joined the planned giving team, bringing with them extensive experience in major gifts. Planned giving allows donors to make impactful contributions through their estate plans or financial strategies, ensuring lasting support for the university’s mission. We sat down with Sue and Jennie to learn more about the opportunities and benefits of planned giving at PLU.

How has PLU’s planned giving evolved, and what trends are you seeing?

Sue: The planned giving landscape at PLU has evolved significantly. Traditionally, donors were long-time supporters, often in the later stages of life, with or without children or spouses.

However, new awareness programs like National Estate Planning Awareness Week, Make-a-Will Month, and digital tools like FreeWill have broadened the audience for planned giving. 

FreeWill, a trusted free digital platform for creating wills, enables individuals to easily include PLU in their estate plans. This has led younger alumni and friends, even in their 30s, to plan their estates with PLU in mind. 

Jennie: FreeWill users are typically younger and may not fit the traditional planned gift donor profile. They often leave smaller, more accessible commitments without knowing their long-term financial situation. FreeWill introduces the idea of planned giving to charity without requiring it, marking a shift towards inclusivity and accessibility in PLU’s planned giving landscape.

Can anyone make a planned gift? How do planned gifts benefit donors?

Jennie: Anyone can make a planned gift, and these gifts offer several benefits to donors. Planned gifts can provide tax savings and some can also provide an income stream.

Sue: Various planned giving methods exist, from simple bequests to making a charity a beneficiary of their IRA or Donor Advised Fund, to more complex arrangements like trusts, each offering different benefits. These and other options enable donors to tailor their contributions to their financial and charitable goals, whether giving during their lifetime or as part of their estate plans.

What advice would you give someone considering a planned gift but still figuring out where to start?

Sue: For someone considering a planned gift but unsure where to start, it’s important to know that any time is a good time to begin. 

Jennie: The key is to take the first step, and using tools like FreeWill can simplify the process. FreeWill guides you through each step, helping you understand your assets and how you might allocate them. You can either complete your will through FreeWill or use it to prepare for a meeting with an attorney. If you’re in a two-person household, FreeWill allows you to collaborate with your partner, letting them mirror or adjust intentions. This tool is accessible anytime, making it convenient to start whenever you feel ready. Life events, such as a death in the family, might also prompt you to create or update your will, ensuring it reflects your current wishes and circumstances. 

Sue: Don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance; financial advisors, estate attorneys, and CPAs can provide valuable advice. Additionally, you can contact PLU’s planned giving team directly for personalized assistance — we are here to help!