JAX STATE
HEART
- Tracy Lynn Pollard Williams
As a senior in high school, Tracy Lynn Pollard Williams had not planned her future. Fortunately, her English teacher, Mrs. Spann – the mother of famed Alabama meteorologist James Spann –stepped in with encouragement and support, helping Williams set a new course for her life. This pivotal decision will benefit future Jacksonville State students in a big way.
Williams, who graduated from Jax State in 1988 with a degree in psychology, and her husband, Mike, have generously established three endowed scholarships through the creation of a planned gift. Two of the scholarships will be dedicated to Delta Chi Fraternity and Delta Zeta Sorority at Jax State, while the third will be designated for a student from St. Clair County. Raised in Springville, Alabama, Williams graduated from Springville High School with dreams of making a difference.
Investing in Jax State is investing in our state, country, and world,” said Williams, a retired interior designer living in Riverside. “Jax State graduates are everywhere, and our investment in our school will keep putting them out there. Look around, you might be surprised.” Williams started her college journey at Jefferson State Community College before transferring to Jax State. The decision was easy, as many of her hometown friends had become Gamecocks, and Jax State offered the perfect balance of being away from home without being too far.
It’s a university that is just the right size to know almost everyone on campus,” Williams said. “The ‘Friendliest Campus in the South’ is true everywhere you go at Jax State. The campus is beautiful, tucked into those hills. Jax State has a way of getting into your heart and never leaving you, and in turn, you never really leave it. You come back for events. You send your children to school there.”
Williams followed this tradition, as her son Corey attended Jax State from 2008 to 2012. He was a member of Delta Chi Fraternity, played baseball for Coach Jim Case, and was part of the 2010 Ohio Valley Conference championship team.
The Williams family maintains a strong presence on campus. In 2006, while living in South Florida, they bought season football tickets, making the 20-hour roundtrip drive to attend every Jax State home game. They continue to be season ticketholders, moving from Club Level to the ATO Alumni Suite.
“On Game Day, our RV in the Stadium Lot is Tailgate Central, and we have been interviewed and featured on TV three times because of it,” Williams said. “Twice at Jax State and once in Montgomery for the KickOff Classic at the Cramton Bowl.”
In April 2024, Williams was honored to be initiated into the sisterhood of Delta Zeta. “It was such an honor,” she said. “I was a little sister for ATO but didn’t have the sorority experience as a student.”
The decision to create the endowments came over a dinner conversation the same night Williams and her husband met with a gift officer from Jax State’s Office of Advancement, now known as the Office for Philanthropy, about the variety of ways they could give back to the institution they loved so much.
Our goal is to ensure that a student who wants to get an education but can’t quite do it all themselves has help,” Williams said. “We want to help those students who might not be top-tier academically but are working hard to achieve their dreams. We want to smooth out their path and help them create a better life for themselves.”
Tips for Maximizing Your Year-End Giving
Determine Your Tax Liability for the Year
Assess your income and tax liability before year-end—consider giving appreciated assets to maximize your impact and tax benefits before December 31. Evaluate your itemized expenses, such as charitable giving, mortgage interest, and state and local taxes. If your expenses are close to the standard deduction thresholds, consider increasing your giving before December 31 to benefit from itemizing your deductions.
2024 Standard Deduction Levels
Single Head of Household Married Filing Jointly $14,600 $21,900
Review Your Investment Portfolio
Review your portfolio to identify publicly-traded stocks held for more than a year that have appreciated in value. Consider making your year-end gift with these appreciated publicly-traded stocks to avoid capital gains tax and receive a charitable deduction for the full fair market value. If your securities have depreciated, selling them and donating the cash proceeds allows you to claim a capital loss on your return, which is not possible if you donate the securities directly.
Utilize Additional Giving Tools
Your retirement account can be a valuable tool for charitable giving.
This year, donors aged 70½ or older can transfer up to $105,000 annually from an IRA to public charities, avoiding income tax through Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs). These distributions count towards the required minimum distribution (RMD) for IRA owners aged 73 or older.
The SECURE 2.0 Act introduces several provisions aimed at enhancing retirement security for Americans. It permits individuals aged 70½ or older to make a one-time distribution of up to $50,000 from their IRA to the JSU Foundation. This distribution can be
YEAR-END GIVING FAQS:
Is my gift to the JSU Foundation tax-deductible?
Yes. As a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, all gifts to the Jacksonville State University Foundation, Inc. are tax-deductible. Consult your tax advisor for specific details.
Do I need a receipt to claim a tax deduction?
Yes. IRS rules require a record of the contribution in the form of a bank record or a written communication from the charity. For gifts of $250 or more, a receipt from the charity is required.
directed to either a charitable remainder trust (CRT) or a charitable gift annuity (CGA). Both giving vehicles provide a stream of income to the donor (or another beneficiary) for life or a set period, after which the remaining funds are used to support Jax State. More information on CGAs and CRTs can be found at jsu.edu/ plannedgiving.
Do Your Giving Early
Initiating the gift process early is crucial, especially for non-cash assets like stock or real estate. Advisors and brokers may be busy as the year ends, so early action ensures your gift is completed before the deadline, maximizing its impact.
As you contemplate your year-end charitable giving, consider the following:
• How much have I/we already given this year to various causes and organizations?
• Does this amount meet or exceed my/our charitable goals for the year?
• Have circumstances changed, allowing for additional contributions?
Consult Your Advisors
Your tax benefits depend on what and when you give. Before making significant gifts, consult with your CPA, attorney, or financial advisor to understand the impact on your tax return and estate plans.
We Can Help
At the JSU Foundation, we aim to make your giving experience prudent, generous, and joyful. We are here to assist you and your advisors with planning and making gifts that support our mission. For more information about year-end giving opportunities, contact Kim Dalesandro at 256.782.5606 or kdalesandro@jsu.edu. Visit our website at www.jsu.edu/plannedgiving for more details.
Does the receipt have to be physical?
No. An electronic receipt is acceptable.
When will I receive my receipt from the JSU Foundation? Receipts are issued promptly upon receipt of gifts.
What is the last day to make a contribution in 2024?
Contributions made online by credit card must be charged by midnight on December 31. Mailed gifts of cash and checks are effective on the postmark date. For securities, the gift is effective on the date funds are reflected in the charity’s account, so initiate transfers early to ensure timely completion.
Jax State University Relies on YOUR Generosity
As we near the end of 2024, we encourage reflection during this season of giving, when much of the nation’s charitable contributions are made. Your generosity sustains organizations like ours, and despite market changes, there are still many impactful ways to contribute.
As the year draws to a close, we encourage you to consider:
• Which organizations have significantly influenced my personal journey or align with my values and could benefit from my support?
• Which organizations need additional support to continue their vital missions during these challenging times?
• How does my charitable giving align with my tax planning for the year?
At Jax State, we are deeply grateful for the continued support of those who believe in our mission and vision. Your contributions have helped us embrace new opportunities and navigate the challenges of recent years and, for that, we are thankful. We rely on generous individuals like you to continue making a transformational impact in our community, our country, and the world.
Jacksonville State Philanthropy Team
Alan Medders Vice President for Philanthropy and Executive Director of the JSU Foundation agmedders@jsu.edu
Kim Dalesandro Planned Giving Officer kdalesandro@jsu.edu
Candace Epperson Administrative Assistant cepperson@jsu.edu
Mary Furlow Database Administrator mwfurlow@jsu.edu
Kelli J. Holmes Associate Vice President for Philanthropy kjholmes@jsu.edu
Joseph Munster Senior Philanthropy Officer jmunster@jsu.edu
Justin Quinn Director of Philanthropic Services jbquinn@jsu.edu
Tammy Sallee Executive Assistant for Executive Director of Philanthropic Services tsallee@jsu.edu
Mike Smith Director of Athletics Philanthropy and the Jax State Athletic Foundation cmsmith@jsu.edu
Hunter Turner Philanthropy Officer hnturner@jsu.edu
Diane Winsor Stewardship and Donor Engagement Coordinator dwinsor@jsu.edu
Ashton Coats Athletics Philanthropy Officer acoats1@jsu.edu
Piper Barnes Assistant Director of Annual Fund pjbarnes@jsu.edu
Rosemary Harper Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Philanthropy roseh@jsu.edu