Tammie Richter and Dennis Cooley Talk About Charitable Giving

Pictured on the left: Barb Stockhausen, Optimist Member, Tammie Richter, Southwest Health Center Foundation Director, Dennis Cooley, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Foundation Director, and Optimist President Bob Hundhausen

Dennis Cooley Tammie Richter

Tammie Richter, SWHC Foundation Director and Dennis Cooley, SWTC Foundation Director spoke to our Club about Charitable Giving.

Dennis explained that the Southwest Wisconsin Technical College was founded in 1967. The focus of the college has evolved over the years.  For the first 35 years, now referred to as 1.0, they worked to create access to education for all students.

In the mid 1990’s they moved to 2.0 and began focusing on completion.  They had found that after hosting Industry Day on campus, students left to take jobs with those industries.  However, without finishing their education, students found it difficult to leave that employer and continue upward mobility to meet their career goals. Southwest Tech is now in the top 5% of the nation in completion. 

Now in phase 3.0 the focus is post graduate success. Many more students in today’s world are part-time students. To make sure these students succeed, the college has each student develop a personal success plan which includes a plan for academic success, financial success, and future career success. 

With the help of over 18,000 alumni and many generous donors, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Foundation is able to offer many scholarships.  YOU can impact students every step of the way: 1.0 Access Scholarships, 2.0 Completion STEP Scholarships, and 3.0 Post Graduation Success.

Tammie Richter spoke to our group about planning ahead for our life and our legacy. She stressed the importance of having an Advance Directive including a Power of Attorney for Healthcare.  Also known as a living will, it allows you to express your wishes regarding medical care if you become unable to communicate or make decisions for yourself, ensuring your preferences are respected. It can help prevent family members from having to make potentially difficult medical decisions when you are unable to. 

Tammie talked about Charitable Giving and how many generous people support causes and organizations that they are passionate about during their lifetime. But what happens when they pass?  Will their heirs continue that support?

Between 2007 and 2061, 59 trillion dollars in wealth will change hands. So why Planned Giving?  Statistics show that 85% of people are givers and 15% are non-givers. However, when it comes to estates, 10% include a charitable bequest and 90% include no charitable giving. If you want your legacy to include supporting the things you were passionate about during your lifetime, now is the time to make your preference known.

End-of-life planning is one of the most significant gifts you can give your love ones. Tammie handed out a very comprehensive planning AHEAD workbook. The workbook included the topics of Getting Started, Handling Financial Changes, Advance Medical and Legal Directives, Estate Planning, Choices in End-of-Life Care, Final Wishes, and Understanding Grief.  She offered us an opportunity to receive an electronic copy of the document to make it easier to complete.

Tammie ended her presentation with a challenge to all of us to go home and video our entire home and all our possessions.  This video would document what we own for insurance purposes in case of a disaster such as a fire or tornado.