Alum Makes Two Memorable Leaps of Faith

Naert FamilySteve Naert ’80 recalls the time he parachuted out of a plane after college. At 3,000 feet and traveling at 100 miles per hour, the jump master yelled, “Let go!”

For Naert, skydiving was a leap of faith, but it wouldn’t be the last.

Naert attended Purdue University (BS chemical engineering) and Washington University (MBA). He began his career as a manufacturing engineer and eventually retired from a position in healthcare services.

A subsequent leap of faith may have been less dramatic than jumping out of a plane, but it was far more challenging.

Steve and Anita were compelled by the experience of friends who had found fulfillment in the practice of tithing, which wasn’t something the Naerts were accustomed to. Inspired by their friends, the Naerts decided early in their family life to put their faith into action, donating the first fruits of their hard-earned wages to charity.

“We began to shift from spend-save-give to give-save-spend,” Naert said. “We had such huge expenses ahead of us: our kids were in Catholic school and then there was college. We had a mortgage. But we gritted our teeth and believed that a God who tells us He will be faithful to us would meet our needs.

A major influence on Steve was his time at St. Louis University High School, particularly his teachers.

“They came to SLUH every day to mold a bunch of adolescent boys, encouraging us to become mature men who were able to succeed and deal with the difficulties they knew laid ahead of us,” Naert said.

As a natural progression of their annual giving, the Naerts did their estate planning when they were in their early 40’s. They included SLUH as a partial beneficiary of their estate because of their deep appreciation for the dedication of the school’s teachers and the opportunity many disadvantaged Jr. Bills receive.

“We decided to tell our kids as they entered high school our plans for our estate,” Naert said. “So they knew as they entered adulthood that we planned for them to receive something at our death, but also that we intended to continue to support our favorite charities. We hope by planting those seeds in their minds that they will follow the same path. They see it’s a part of who you are and it becomes a part of them.

In addition to serving as models of generosity, Steve and Anita will allow SLUH to thrive for future generations of Jr. Bills through their bequest.

Learn how you can create a lasting legacy at SLUH, just like the Naerts have done, by contacting Linda Domeyer at (314) 269-2113 or ldomeyer@sluh.org.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to St. Louis University High School a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

UNRESTRICTED USE AND PURPOSE
"I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to St. Louis University High School [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

RESTRICTED USE AND PURPOSE
"I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to St. Louis University High School [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for [scholarship name or another specific purpose]."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to SLUH or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to SLUH as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to SLUH as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and SLUH where you agree to make a gift to SLUH and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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