DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

Welcome to the Development Office website. Our development officers can help you determine where your interests and the needs of the college may intersect in ways that will be mutually beneficial.

CARES ACT

Tax Incentives for Giving
As part of the stimulus package signed into law at the end of 2020, two key provisions of the CARES Act were extended into the new year (and, in one case, increased). Here are the two provisions that take effect in 2021.

Expansion of the universal charitable deduction for cash gifts

The universal charitable deduction has not only been extended but given a well-deserved upgrade. The new deduction is $300 for single filers and $600 for married couples filing jointly.This is available to taxpayers who take the standard deduction. This tax incentive is available for cash gifts to qualified charities (but not to supporting organizations or donor advised funds).

Example: A taxpayer who takes the standard deduction and makes a $300 cash gift to a public charity in 2021 may claim the $300 deduction ($600 for married couples) in computing his or her adjusted gross income. The deduction is in addition to the taxpayer’s standard deduction. If you’re in a 20% tax bracket, for example, this will likely save you $60 on the tax you owe ($120 for married couples). So the actual cost of the $300 gift is only $240.

MAKE A GIFT TO WARTBURG

Extension of the cap on deductions for cash contributions

Contributions to public charities are generally limited to a percentage of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income (AGI). The CARES Act lifted the cap on annual contributions for those who itemize, increasing it from 60% to 100% of AGI for 2021. Any excess contributions available can be carried over to the next five years. For corporations, the law raised the annual limit from 10% to 25% of taxable income.

This resource is for informational purposes only and is not meant as tax advice, please consult your financial advisor before making any donations. Contact the Development Office with any questions at development@wartburg.edu or 319-352-8495.

GIVING TOPICS

Annual Fund

Gifts to the Wartburg Annual Fund provide the margin of excellence that Wartburg has become known for. Like a tuition dollar, gifts to the Annual Fund are undesignated and allow flexibility in the budgeting process while enhancing all aspects of college operations. The Annual Fund plays a hand in everything from scholarships, to technology, to the many clubs and organizations that provide opportunities for students to grow as a whole person, both personally and academically.

Endowed Funds

Endowed funds help create and sustain distinctive teaching and learning activities in a variety of areas across Wartburg’s campus, supporting students, faculty, and extracurricular activities. Endowed funds are administered by the college in accordance with applicable laws and guidelines set forth by the Board of Regents.

ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPS & CHAIRS

KNIGHTS LEGACY CIRCLE

Aden Family Scholarship	Supports students from Nebraska
Archives of Iowa Broadcasting Endowment Fund	Supports the Archives of Iowa Broadcasting, in keeping with its mission to preserve the history of radio and television in Iowa, and make that history available to the general public
Austerud Curriculum Library Fund	Supports the curriculum library
Baldwin Leadership Fellows	Supports new, expanded, or enhanced programming for students within the Institute for Leadership Education
Jay Balek Memorial Endowed Fund	Supports students with financial need to participate in international tours with the Wind Ensemble
Randy Brubaker Journalism Scholarship	Supports students in journalism and communication
Lee Bondhus Football Fund	Supports the Knights football program at the discretion of the head coach and the athletic director
Herbert & Lois Brokering Healing Arts Fund	Supports activities that promote the healing arts at Wartburg College
Marvin and Charlene Brosz Science Undergraduate Research Fund	Supports Wartburg faculty and their students in the area of science research
Fannie Buhr Memorial Fund	Supports scholarships and the Office of the Chaplain
John O. Chellevold Award for Teaching Excellence and Professional Service	Supports an annual facutly award given by the student government that recognizes teaching excellence and professional service
Class of ’61 Library Fund	Supports library acquisitions for Wartburg’s leadership program
Class of ’64 Scholarship	Supports legacy students with financial need
Class of ’89 Library Fund	Supports the purchase of new and updated resources for the library
Wartburg College Concert Band Endowed Fund	Supports Wartburg’s band program
Diane Sheffler Calkins and Lloyd and Ruth Sheffler Music Scholarship	Supports students studying or playing organ
Robert Dell Memorial Endowed Fund	Supports the Dell Association for Peace and Justice, participation in service trips by Wartburg students, and honors those who display leadership on issues of peace and justice with a global perspective
Wartburg College Faculty Develop Fund	Supports facutly development expenditures
Kent and Anne Floy Endowed Fund for Engineering Science	Supports equipment or other instructional technology or resources in for Wartburg’s engineering science program
Erwin and Irma Frtschel Music Scholarship	Supports students majoring in music or music education
Irma & Erwin Fritschel Memorial Fund	Supports Wartburg College’s greatest needs
James and Barbara Fritschel Choral Endowment	Supports commissioned works for the Wartburg Choir and other choral groups; lectures, seminars, and performances on campus; and the establishment of the Wartburg Choral Prize in recognition of an outstanding choral work published each year
Maggie Garland Journalism Fund	Supports the journalism department through the Maggie Award, presented annually to the outstanding senior journalism student
Dr. C.H. Graening Fund	Supports health services for students
Judge Henry N. and Helen T. Graven Memorial Endowed Fund	Supports the Graven Award, presented annually to a person whose life is nurtured and guided by a strong sense of Christian calling and who is making a significant contribution to community, church, and society
Jane Grawe Memorial Fund	Supports social work books for the Vogel Library
Robert C. Gremmels Endowment Fund	Supports the journalism and communications programs and Wartburg graduates pursuing advanced degrees in journalism or related disciplines
John Groth Memorial Fund	Supports faculty travel to Classical lands
Harry Hagemann Lecture Fund	Supports lectures selected by the Wartburg College President to advocate and support the present system of government
Wilbert Andrew Hast and Florence Wickliff Hast Endowed Scholarship	Supports students from the Midwest preparing to teach biological sciences in high school
Health & Physcial Education Department Endowed Fund	Supports the Health and Physical Education Department at Wartburg College
Debbie E. Heida Campus Leadership and Service Award	Supports an annual award to a junior or senior student who exhibits strong leadership skills and exemplifies the college’s mission
Hertel Athletic Award Fund	Supports the purchase of a plaque for the annual winner of the Hertel Award, awarded to the top multisport senior athlete in both men’s and women’s athletics
Hiltrude Braulick Gronewald Library Endowed Fund	Supports library material purchases
Robert Holtz Memorial Scholarship	Supports students from Delaware and Clayton counties
Gerald R. Kleinfeld German History Lecture and Event Fund	Supports lectures and events that advance the understanding of Germany and its heritage
Dr. Duane G. and Violet I. Koenig Endowed Fund for Jazz/Swing Music	Supports jazz and swing programs at Wartburg, with a preference given to instrumental music
Dr. Elmer & Suzanne Kretzschmar Endowed Fund	Supports the student-based activities of the German Institute
Harold and Grace Kurtz Endowment Fund	Supports needs of Wartburg College
Letsche Band Endowment	Supports the Wartburg College Concert Band in outreach activities, including recordings, promotional materials, and defraying tour costs for students
Norbert Hahn Endowment Fund for the Library Archives	Supports the enhancement of the archives
Colleen Liming Continuing Education Fund	Supports professional development and conference travel for secretarial and clerical staff at Wartburg
Lynes/Koob Athletic Award	Supports awards for student athletes
Wartburg Fund – Memorial Gift	Supports Wartburg College’s greatest needs
Paul and Anne Mardorf Service to Community Scholarship	Supports students who demonstrate leadership and service to their community or the college community
Dr. Ferol Menzel Endowed Fund for Undergraduate Research	Supports the college’s many undergraduate research programs
Michaelson, Briner, and Kildahl Endowment Fund	Supports an annual visit to campus by an author, poet, or other literary figure to engage faculty, staff, and students in critical discussion
Moehlmann Memorial Campus Ministry Fund	Supports campus ministry at Wartburg
Daniel A. Moeller Music Therapy Endowed Fund	Supports music therapy students’ experiential learning in serivce to Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community
Nielson Coaching Scholarship	Supports students pursuing coaching careers
Lynn and Kathy Olson Endowment Fund for Student/Faculty Research	Supports experiential learning and student-faculty research primarily in the fields of math, computer science, and physics
Posekany Endowment for Teaching and Learning	Supports classroom learning through the purchase of new equipment and resources, the creation of new teaching strategies to encourage greater student participation, and faculty scholarship related to teaching and learning
Pruisner Endowed Fund	Supports classroom learning through the purchase of new equipment and resources, the creation of new teaching strategies to encourage greater student participation, and faculty scholarship related to teaching and learning
Jerome L. Aleff & Sandra Rada-Aleff Community Wellness Fund	Supports recreational and wellness opportunities for the Wartburg and Waverly communities
Herb & Dorothy Rathe Faculty Enrichment	Supports faculty seeking to improve educational offerings to students
Riley-Roecker Living Memorial Fund	Supports the math and computer science programs at Wartburg
Schoenbohm Tree Fund	Supports projects to beautify campus
Duane and Mary Ellen Schroeder Memorial Endowment Fund	Supports the College’s ability to ‘tell the Wartburg story,’ a calling to which Duane so admirably fulfilled throughout the portion of six decades.
Keith and Joy Schuldt Instrumental Music Endowed Fund	Supports commissioned work, clinicians, travel, stipends, and public relations, among other examples, for the instrumental music programs at Wartburg
Lou Shepherd Faculty Enrichment Fund	Supports faculty and other worthy projects
Slife Institute for Social Work Consulation, Research, and Training Endowment Fund	Supports teaching, learning, and student/faculty research in the social work department at Wartburg
Teaching & Learning Center	Supports Wartburg College’s teaching facilities
Wesley & Thelma Tellinghuisen Endowed Fund	Supports the advancement of church music at Wartburg
Theater and Opera Patrons Endowment Fund	Supports productions of the Wartburg Opera Workshop, Wartburg Players, and other productions.
Erna H. Thompson Pre-Nursing Endowed Fund	Supports the pre-nursing program and its students
Tompson Endowment Project	Supports Wartburg’s library services
Tom and Jan Van Wyngarden Scholarship	Supports Midwest students majoring in business or music education
Voecks Athletic Trophy	Supports athletic awards plaques
Arnold and Marianne Waldstein Endowment Fund for Leadership Education	Supports the Institute for Leadership Education, its faculty, and its students in the areas of financial aid, programs, and experiential learning
Wartburg College Concert Band Endowed Director’s Fund	Supports Meistersinger scholarships and provides for instrument repair or replacement, emergency tour expenses, and purchases of new music
Andrea Westmeyer Endowed Scholarship	Supports future female entrepreneurs
World Religions Endowed Fund	Supports the exploration of faith traditions and education across religious lines on campus
Liz Wuertz Memorial Scholarship	Supports students majoring in exercise science, health and fitness, or physical education
Zahn Choir Trip Fund	Supports Wartburg Choir travel
Kenton Zellmer Fund	Supports Wartburg College’s Business Administration & Economics department
Roland & Gladys Zimmerman Music Fund	Supports Wartburg’s band and symphony

Donor-Advised Funds

Wartburg has created the option for donors to utilize a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) to simplify charitable donations to Wartburg College. With a Wartburg DAF, half of the funds in the account must be directed to Wartburg College, and the other half can be directed to your other favorite charities.

More Information: Jay Boeding, senior gift planner, at (319) 352-8650 or jay.boeding@wartburg.edu

Is this fund right for me?
This is an increasingly popular vehicle for giving that allows you to simplify your charitable donations, support nonprofits you’re most passionate about, and give anonymously if you wish. You can contribute cash, stocks, mutual funds, real estate, life insurance, and more. In addition to leaving a legacy at your favorite organizations, you can receive an immediate income tax deduction, organize your philanthropy, pass on your personal assets, avoid capital gains tax, build an endowment, and recommend grants to your favorite charities, including Wartburg College.

Take it from the Blobaums

“After consulting with our financial adviser, we determined this fund would be a good fit for us as well as a benefit for our alma mater. Wartburg’s development officers were gracious and knowledgeable in assisting us in this venture. The College is forward-thinking about the needs of its constituents. We hope others will consider the Wartburg College Donor-Advised Fund as a one-stop giving opportunity for charitable contributions.”— Harry ’66 and Elle ’66 Blobaum

Support Scholarships

Wartburg supports the concept of a socially, culturally, and economically diverse student body and provides financial aid to more than 98 percent of its students. Scholarships help Wartburg attract top students and make a Wartburg education feasible for students from all segments of society. Annually funded and endowed scholarships free up institutional funds for other critical needs and create a bond between donors and current students. Donors are invited to meet their recipients at an annual scholarship luncheon.

ANNUALLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS

ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS

HONOR/MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

RECOGNITION SOCIETIES

Wartburg College values the financial investment offered by alumni, parents, and friends and is proud to recognize this support through its Presidents’ Round Table and three other distinct donor recognition societies: Tower Society, 1852 Founder’s Society, and Heritage Society.

Wartburg Tower Society

Drawing inspiration from the Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, Germany, Wartburg Tower Society recognizes donors’ total annual giving during Wartburg’s fiscal year, June 1 through May 31. Members receive benefits throughout the year, along with special recognition during Homecoming/Family Weekend. Tower Society gifts help support the ongoing operations of designated areas of the college, while ensuring that Wartburg can continue to provide unique and enriching experiences for our students.

Foundation	$1,000-$2,499
Cornerstone	$2,500-$4,999
Terrace	$5,000-$9,999
Belfry	$10,000-$24,999
Pinnacle	$25,000 or above

The President's Round Table

Recognition in the President’s Round Table is based on donors’ cumulative giving. All current as well as irrevocable deferred gifts are included in a donor’s giving history. Round Table members are honored each year during Homecoming Weekend. In addition, a permanent display honoring all members is located in the Student Center.

Order of the Gate
Order of the Plume
Order of the Lance
Order of the Chalice
Order of the Knight
Order of the Castle

$50,000 or more
$100,000 or more
$250,000 or more
$500,000 or more
$1,000,000 or more
$2,500,000 or more

The Heritage Society

The Heritage Society was established in 1977 to thank and recognize alumni, parents, and friends who have included Wartburg College in their estate plans. We believe those who make provisions for future gifts to Wartburg hold a special place in the life of the college. They regard the college as a family member when placing Wartburg in their estate plans. For many Heritage Society members, a planned gift is a natural extension of their generosity to Wartburg during their lifetimes. Heritage Society members are recognized each year at the Homecoming Luncheon, when new members receive a framed watercolor print of Old Main.

You may qualify for membership in one or more of the following ways:

A gift in your will (name the college to receive a specific dollar amount or percentage).
Charitable Gift Annuity (minimum $10,000).
Charitable Annuity Trust or Remainder Trust.
Charitable Lead Trust.
IRA or Retirement Accounts (make gifts straight from your IRA or name the college as beneficiary).
Life Estate—gift your home or farmland and retain the right to use the property during your lifetime.
Life Insurance Policy—make the college owner or beneficiary.
Revocable Trust (living trust).

Please contact us for related information on these services we provide:

Personalized Gift Illustrations
Sample Bequest Language
Deferred Gift Commitment Form
Sample Endowment Agreement

Contact: Jay Boeding at (319) 352-8650

2023-24 HERITAGE SOCIETY MEMBERS

PLANNED GIVING GUIDE

Knights Fellowship

The Knights Fellowship recognizes donors who have given for three or more consecutive years, as well as those who support the College through monthly gifts. The goal of the Fellowship is to promote continuous giving to Wartburg. Donors who give continuously sustain the College and enable us to continue to provide students with the best education possible. We hope to encourage young alumni to create a habit of philanthropy and continuous giving, as well as recognize our faithful donors for continuing to give year after year.Three levels of Knights Fellowship:

Lasting Loyals – those who have given to the College for 20+ years
Knight Subscribers – those who set up an automatic recurring monthly gift
Knights of the Fortress – alumni who give every year since graduating and/or with 35+ years of giving

DIRECTORY OF ALLIED PROFESSIONALS

The following is a directory of allied professionals from across the country who have a Wartburg College connection as alumni, parents or friends. This directory is provided as a resource for fellow alumni, parents and friends of the college who are seeking estate planning and financial planning advice. These professionals are listed by geographic area to assist you in finding guidance from someone who lives in your area and who has a Wartburg connection. The planned giving staff at the college are willing and ready to work with you and your advisors in helping you reach your goals as you plan future gifts through your estate. We believe that charitable planning is a process that ideally involves the donor, professional advisors and our gift planning staff—all working together to arrange the best gift possible. Please note that inclusion on this list is for informational purposes only and does not represent an endorsement by Wartburg College of any individual or company.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ALLIED PROFESSIONALS DIRECTORY >>