In A Donor's Own Words
by Lynne Atherton


Lynne Atherton nuzzles a goat in 1988, during her tenure as the Chicago Area Representative for Heifer International.

In the process of drawing up a will, I realized I didn't want to wait until I was dead before setting in motion some substantial charitable giving.

I decided to tithe (10%) on my portfolio--but had no idea how to go about it.

Janet Ginn, President of the Heifer Foundation and I talked by phone about it, and then in person when she came to the Chicago area, resulting in a draft of a Charitable Remainder Unitrust (inelegantly abbreviated "CRUT"). It would pay me 5% (or 6%--I chose 5%) annually through my lifetime. At my death, a minimum of half the total would go to Heifer, the other half to 5 other charities I specified. Heifer Foundation would oversee the full amount, free of charge.

My broker was skeptical. My CPA was skeptical ("Setting up trusts is terribly expensive!") My attorney was skeptical.

I showed the full paperwork and figures to each of them, one at a time. It was almost as if this were all as much New Territory for them as it was for me. Each became a believer! While it's true I feel I ended up teaching them something, I want to record that it was also very important for me to have checked with them. We all learned a lot.

All along the way, Janet Ginn and her staff gracefully and helpfully fielded all questions. There was no pressure whatsoever. There was no such thing as a stupid question. And oh by the way, there was no cost for setting up the Unitrust.

I don't miss the 10% I tithed. I received a whopping charitable deduction on my Income Taxes, spread over several years. I receive a check 4 times a year. Heifer is earning some money from my money already, with more to come.

It's a great satisfaction to be "passing on the gift" during my lifetime.

Lynne Atherton
Waukegan, IL

Lynne Atherton (Waukegan, IL) and Frederick Chase, Jr. (Stowe, VT) in 2004. Both are Heifer supporters (If you hang out with Lynne, you probably don’t have a choice!)

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