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Educators Tell How They Became Mote Donors

Carol and Tom Kerr

Carol and Tom Kerr

Every Mote donor has a story of what led him or her to support Mote with a legacy gift. Each is different, personal and carefully considered. But in the end, the motivation is the same: they all believe in Mote's mission. Tom and Carol Kerr got there through education...

"We met in Boston," Tom says. "I was on the staff of Northeastern University as an associate dean and professor of engineering." Carol adds, "And I was finishing my master's degree in speech language pathology. We quickly found mutual interests—rescuing wildlife was one."

Tom continues, "As for interest in the sea, I sold marine tackle and crewed on commercial fishing boats while in high school. I saw how a dragger, a bottom trawler, can catch and discard tons of fish and other marine animals that weren't the target species. Pretty wasteful! But the experience sharpened my interest in marine life."

"We never lost that interest, even as we moved around," Carol says. "That's right," Tom remarks. "I worked in various posts at Boston University, at Drexel in Philadelphia, at Rowan and Fairleigh Dickinson in New Jersey, and around the country after I was the president/CEO of Campus Group International Education Services, dedicated to helping smaller colleges attract and retain foreign students."

"When my parents moved to Sarasota in the 70s, we would come down to visit and that's how we came to know Mote Marine Laboratory," Carols says.

"We were already giving to a number of charities," Tom interjects, "and we began giving Mote modest annual gifts and in time became sustaining members. We were impressed by the research and education programs the Lab was running—programs with the power to change public perceptions in favor of protecting marine life. Education was the tie that bound us and led to our commitment to support the Laboratory with a gift devised by our will."

Carol concludes, "We hope other potential donors will see the enormous contribution Mote is making and make their own contribution via their estate plans. There are many ways to do it."

Plan Your Legacy For more information and help in planning a contribution, go to www.mote.org/plannedgiving or contact The Development Office at 941-388-4441, Ext. 309 or plannedgiving@mote.org.

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A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium 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

Bequest Language

The official bequest language for Mote Marine Laboratory is: "I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Mote Marine Laboratory [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and 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 Mote 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 Mote 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 Mote 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 Mote where you agree to make a gift to Mote 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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