Leila Lipen Talley lived a life filled with compassion and generosity. Well known among friends and family for her gifts of hospitality, benevolence, and embracing new and diverse experiences, she worked tirelessly to find common ground with a cross section of cultures.
Leila Lipen Talley and her mother, Anna Lipen
Perhaps the most important influence on her life was the deep and profound legacy left by her missionary parents, whose devotion to Christian ministry for nearly half a century— despite religious persecution—laid a strong foundation for her own future.
When Leila passed away in 2023 at the remarkable age of 99, she paid tribute to her parents’ lives of selfless service and extended her own lifelong passion for education with a bequest to Fuller Seminary of more than $2 million. Now, a scholarship named in honor
of Rev. Stephen and Anna Lipen as well as Leila will provide crucial aid to students in Fuller’s School of Mission and Theology.
This extraordinary bequest is the culmination of a life that took Leila from her birthplace in China to educational and global experiences that helped shape her views and philanthropy. She traveled extensively and took every opportunity to connect on a deeper level with those she met along the way.
During the most recent academic year, Fuller students hailed from 79 countries and 116 denominations. Now, Leila’s thoughtful gift to the seminary will help extend Fuller’s global reach to a new generation of faithful Christian leaders.
If you would like to leave a similar legacy, consider supporting your favorite charity, like Fuller, with an estate gift. The Fuller Foundation can help you explore the best options. Your generosity will transform lives and ensure that even more people can help change the world for Christ.
To learn more, please contact us at giftplanning@thefullerfoundation.org.
The Fuller Foundation | Fall 2024
PLAN WITH PURPOSE: START YOUR FREE WILL TODAY
Your legacy is vital, not just for your family, but to preserve the values and achievements you’ve cultivated over a lifetime. A wellcrafted estate plan offers you peace of mind and ensures your loved ones can honor your wishes with clarity and confidence.
Now, through our new partnership with FreeWill, The Fuller Foundation makes it easier than ever to secure your legacy. With FreeWill’s intuitive online platform, you can create a will in as little as 20 minutes that
reflects your deepest values and safeguards your loved ones—all at no cost to you, thanks to The Fuller Foundation.
Why Estate Planning Matters
• Ensures your wishes are honored
• Provides peace of mind
• Protects your loved ones
• Safeguards the well-being of your minor children
• Leaves a lasting impact on the causes you care about
Start your free will today by scanning the QR code and let us help you turn your intentions into a lasting impact.
Explore FreeWill Today
Our team is available to help you start your estate planning journey or answer any questions about including The Fuller Foundation in your will. To learn more, scan the QR code above or contact us today at giftplanning@thefullerfoundation.org or 626.765.8431.
SCHOLARSHIPS HELP FULFILL STUDENT'S PASSION FOR MINISTRY WORK
During the past academic year, donor support made it possible for 1,675 students at Fuller Seminary to receive financial aid totaling $6.8 million. This allowed these students to start and continue their graduate educations. Among them is Alex Chew, who is studying online from Singapore for a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies (MAICS). He shares his Fuller journey:
I chose to study at Fuller because I need equipping for effective cross-cultural ministry. I have been in full-time ministry for six years and I find myself hitting the limits of what I know.
After graduation, I plan to continue serving in my church. My passion is to contextualize the gospel and theology for Asian context. My wife and I are praying about going overseas for cross-cultural work.
Because of this scholarship, I have been able to pursue my academic and personal goals with more confidence and less stress. This scholarship has helped me cover some of the expenses of my education, which has allowed me to focus more on my studies and less on my finances.
Alex Chew and his wife
Moreover, this scholarship has been a great help toward our trying to start a family, especially with the increasing living cost. Thanks to this scholarship, we have been able to save some money and plan for our future.
I am very grateful for the generosity and kindness of donors. We are hopeful that this donation will help us achieve our dream.
Change Their Lives
3 GREAT WAYS TO GIVE FROM YOUR IRA
An IRA is an appealing way to save for retirement: Make a contribution and enjoy tax savings. But eventually, the tax bill comes due—when you take your annual distributions…and again when you leave your assets to heirs.
If you want to avoid the tax bite and make a global impact for Christ, consider a gift from your IRA.
1. Make Your Gift Today
If you’re 70½ or older, you can make a tax-free gift (up to $105,000 in 2024) to The Fuller Foundation. Benefits include:
• See the difference you’re making today.
• Pay no income taxes on the gift. The transfer doesn’t generate taxable income or a tax deduction.
BONUS: If you are required to take minimum distributions, your gift can satisfy all or part of your obligation.
2. Magnify Your Impact After Your Lifetime You can name The Fuller Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement account. This is a great option for extending support from your IRA beyond your lifetime. It costs you nothing today.
Here’s how:
1. Contact your IRA administrator for a change-of-beneficiary form or download a form from your provider’s website.
2. Name The Fuller Foundation and the gift percentage on the form.
3. Let us know about your plans so we can thank you.
3. NEW OPTION: Create a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)
If you are 70½ or older, you can now use your IRA to create a gift that pays you. Get fixed, reliable income for life by making a one-time gift of up to $53,000 to create a CGA (without being taxed on the distribution). Because this option comes with special rules, we’d be happy to discuss whether this gift is right for you.
Giving Made Easy
Learn about the benefits of creating a donor-advised fund—a convenient and easy way to organize your charitable intentions in one place. Simply return the enclosed reply card today to get your free copy of One-Stop Giving: TFF Donor-Advised Fund.
A WIN-WIN WITH A GIFT OF STOCK
If you own stock that has increased in value (and you have owned it for at least one year), you have a unique opportunity.
When you donate the shares, you receive the same tax savings that you would if you wrote The Fuller Foundation a check, but with the added benefit of eliminating capital gains tax. A gift of securities is as easy as instructing your broker to transfer the shares.
How a Gift of Stock Works
$25,000 today’s stock value
$10,000 stock purchase price
If you sold the stock:
$2,250: Capital gains tax owed
($15,000 x .15 capital gains tax rate)
If you donated the stock:
$25,000: Income tax charitable deduction
$0: Capital gains tax
If you prefer to donate your stocks after your lifetime, you can place a transfer-on-death (TOD) designation on your brokerage or investment account. The account will then be paid over to one or more persons or charities after your lifetime. You will have the flexibility to change your mind at any time, plus you can continue to receive dividends and participate in shareholder votes.
The process is simple. Request a form, fill it out and return it to your investment advisor.
Take the Next Step
We can help clarify and answer any questions about the steps to donate stock. Contact Dasha Thomas at 626.765.8431 or giftplanning@thefullerfoundation.org to explore how this gift can be a win-win.
A LEGACY OF GENEROSITY
Trusts for Family Care and Kingdom Impact
When Margie and Jay Johnson met and married in the early 1950s, it was the start of 60 remarkable years together. They were involved in the beginnings of Campus Crusade; Jay invented a revolutionary fiberglass process; they bought an island in Fiji and built a resort; and Margie earned both an MA and a PhD in clinical psychology from Fuller Seminary, then operated her own counseling center. They also had the foresight to open two accounts with The Fuller Foundation: a charitable remainder unitrust and a charitable remainder annuity trust, which were invested with Fuller Investment Management Company. These ensured that Margie could live out her life on her terms and stay in her home after Jay’s passing in 2013.
Now, with her passing in late 2023, the remaining principal will benefit a range of organizations important to the couple and their Christian faith. Fuller Seminary received an extraordinary gift of nearly $2.3 million, which will impact generations to come, while another $2.5 million was divided among World Vision, Cru, and Prison Fellowship Ministries.
The generosity of Margie and Jay will change lives at Fuller and beyond. If you would like to see how you can benefit from one of our trusts and make a similar difference for Christ in the world, let’s talk. Contact us at 626.765.8431 or giftplanning@thefullerfoundation.org.
To read more about the Johnsons and others, scan the QR code.
INVESTING. GROWING. GIVING.
Fuller Investment Management Company is an independent investment advisor providing investment services as a subsidiary of The Fuller Foundation, and together we serve the greater Christian community. We live by the Christian principles of stewardship, compassion, and generosity, and offer a Christ-centered approach to your customized investment solutions. Scan the QR code at left to learn more.
