Who Wants to
Leave a Legacy?
Your Legacy = Our Children's Future.
Establish your legacy with a planned gift to MEF.
By giving to MEF through a planned gift, you are unlocking the potential of Signal Mountain’s young people and ensuring our community continues to provide innovative educational resources for generations to come.
Ways to Give Today.
Ways to Give Today.
We recommend that you consult with your financial professional or attorney about ways to incorporate MEF into your current giving and your legacy plans.
Contact MEF or call 423-517-0772 for more information
“I was so touched by the donations made to MEF in memory of my late husband, Dan Summerlin. When I updated my legal paperwork, I made sure to include the Mountain Education Foundation and a few other nonprofits in my estate planning. Education is the great equalizer. I would love for all students to have access to the exceptional education our twins, Jack and Jake, and generations of Signal Mountain children have received, thanks to our wonderful schools and educators and the support given to MEF by our parents, grandparents and community. Nolan, Thrasher and SMMHS will always hold a special place in my heart.”
- Scottie Goodman Summerlin
“We named MEF as the beneficiary of one of my life insurance policies- it was simple. We don’t have any children in Signal Mountain schools, but believe wholeheartedly in the work of MEF and want our community’s children to have these benefits in perpetuity.”
– Rhonda and Jim Catanzaro
Ways to Give Today
Donate from an IRA
- Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
- A QCD may satisfy all or part of a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from an IRA.
- If you are 70 ½ or older and distributing funds from a retirement account that would otherwise be taxed as ordinary income, you may be eligible to make a QCD. Please consult with a tax professional to ensure you meet the current IRS qualifications.
- QCDs do not require that you itemize. Due to tax law changes, you may decide to take advantage of the higher standard deduction and still use the QCD for charitable giving.
Stocks & Securities
- Donating stocks, bonds or mutual funds to MEF is a simple and smart way to support our mission. By donating assets like appreciated securities, you may be able to receive significant tax savings now. Please notify MEF of upcoming transfers so we may track and acknowledge the gift in a timely manner. MEF will connect you with the entity that processes these transactions on our behalf.
Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)
- Individuals & families establish a DAF with an initial tax-deduction contribution to a public charity. The contribution is invested and donors can recommend grants to qualified non-profits over time.
- Please consider recommending MEF as an organization to support through your donor-advised fund. For more information on DAFs, contact your financial professional or Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga.
Ways to Give in the Future
Make a gift through your will or estate plan
- Designate a percentage or a particular asset to MEF by requesting this when your will is being created or by completing a simple request to change it. MEF can be listed as a primary or a contingent beneficiary.
- If your gift is to be used in a targeted manner, please contact MEF to ensure we can meet your wishes.
- Your gift is fully deductible for federal estate tax purposes.
Retirement Plans
- Naming MEF as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401k or other qualified plan may eliminate both income and estate taxes.
Life Insurance Policies
- By naming MEF as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy, you will be providing a future gift to ensure educational opportunities for 2800+ public school children.
