As 2025 comes to a close, the Western Illinois University Foundation reminds donors and potential donors that there's still time to make a gift that will have an impact in the year ahead.
'Your generosity continues to open doors for students at Western Illinois University. Each gift helps create opportunities, strengthen programs and ensure our Leathernecks have the tools to succeed,' the Foundation shared in a recent 'thank you' email.
Gifts for the current year can continue to be made through Dec. 31, online tinyurl.com/3eajk3n2 or by calling or emailing the WIU Foundation at wiufoundation@ wiu.edu or (309) 298-1861.
Year-End Checklist, Courtesy of the WIU Foundation Check these off your list before the end of the year:
• Review a will or trust for any life change such as a birth, death, marriage or move to a different state.
• Make sure durable powers of attorney for financial matters and health care are current. A copy of the financial power of attorney should be given to family members, while copies of the health care power of attorney should be provided to both family members and health care providers.
• Review retirement plan beneficiaries and remove any beneficiary on life insurance or retirement plans who is deceased or is a former spouse, and consider adding a nonprofit, such as the Western Illinois University Foundation.
• If a life insurance policy is no longer a significant piece of an estate plan, consider making a gift by assigning ownership to Western Illinois University or making the institution a beneficiary.
• Name designated heirs as a recipient of bank or brokerage account proceeds at death.
• If you've included a gift to Western Illinois University in your estate plan, review the details of your gift and let the WIU Foundation (and your loved ones) know of your intentions.
This will guarantee that your wishes are carried out after your lifetime.
• Catalog the contents of your safe-deposit box. Give a written copy to a trusted family member and note any items you are holding for someone else.
• Your online accounts' usernames and up-to-date passwords, along with your smartphone and tablet passcodes, home security code, and similar data, should either be recorded in password- management software or on paper in a fireproof lockbox. Tell someone you trust how to access either of these.
