Cornerstone Society
A Message from the Chair
Rhonda Anderson, Chair, AONL Foundation Cornerstone Society
Have you thought about what your legacy to nursing leadership will be? Have you considered how you might impact the future of nursing leadership?
My husband, Gary, and I have included the AONL Foundation for Nursing Leadership Research and Education in our trust. That’s going to be part of my legacy to nursing—ensuring the future of nursing leadership research and education through the work of the Foundation.
It’s a very personal decision. One we carefully considered, and one that, if possible, I would ask you to consider as well.
This is a new initiative for the Foundation, one that I’m very proud to be part of. The Cornerstone Society, the Foundation’s new legacy society, is a way to recognize and honor members and friends who have included the Foundation in their estate plans or have made other planned gifts. These special gifts and commitments will help the Foundation support nursing leadership far into the future—long after we have been active AONL members.
It’s a way we can give back to our profession and help those future nurse leaders with the challenges they will face.
Would you consider joining Gary and me and become a member of the AONL Foundation’s Cornerstone Society?
Thank you!
Cornerstone Society Members
- Are amazing people!
- Care about the future of nursing leadership research and education.
- Impact that future through their own support.
- Many times, Cornerstone Society members are surprised by how large an impact they can make with a planned gift. It can be larger than they even thought possible by supporting the Foundation during their lifetime.
- Support the Foundation through a gift in their estate plans or via another planned giving vehicle.
- Are included in a special section of the Foundation’s annual Honor Roll of Donors, published annually in the Voice of Nursing Leadership and displayed during the AONL Annual Meeting and on the Foundation’s website.
- If you would like your gift to be anonymous, the Foundation will display it as such. However, seeing your name included might inspire others to consider their own legacy and the role they wish to see nursing leadership play in that legacy.
- Allow the Foundation to say “Thank You.”
Ways to join the Cornerstone Society
- Include the AONL Foundation in your will or other estate plans.
- Name the Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement plan assets.
- Include the Foundation as a beneficiary of your life insurance plans.
- Name the Foundation as a beneficiary of your bank account(s).
Estate Planning
Did you know that roughly 60% of the adults in the United States alone do not have any plans in place for their estate? Planning your estate allows you to be in control of your legacy.
You can join the Cornerstone Society by naming the AONL Foundation for Nursing Leadership Research and Education in your estate plans, and then informing the Foundation that you have done so.
If you do decide to include the Foundation in your estate plans, it is important to use the full, legal name: AONL Foundation for Nursing Leadership Research and Education. It also helps to include the Foundation’s tax identification number: 27-2399044.
Sample bequest language for a general, unrestricted gift
“I [name] of [city, state zip] give devise and bequeath to THE AONL FOUNDATION FOR NURSING LEADERSHIP RESEARCH AND EDUCATION [the sum of $______ or ____ percentage of estate or “remainder of the estate”] for its unrestricted use and purpose.”
Foundation legal name and address:
AONL Foundation for Nursing Leadership Research and Education
155 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60606
Federal Tax ID 27-2399044
Sample bequest language to designate funding to a particular area or program
I [name] of [city, state zip] give devise and bequeath to THE AONL FOUNDATION FOR NURSING LEADERSHIP RESEARCH AND EDUCATION [the sum of $______ or ____ percentage of estate or “remainder of the estate”] to be used to support the [__________________] of the Foundation, or, if this is not possible, for purposes determined by the AONL Foundation Board of Directors.
This sample language is for illustration purposes and is not legal advice or intended to substitute for consultation with an attorney or estate planning advisor.
This sample language is for illustration purposes and is not legal advice or intended to substitute for consultation with an attorney or estate planning advisor.
Every person’s situation is different, so please talk to your attorney or estate planning advisor as you make your plans.
Retirement Plan Assets
Retirement plan assets can be some of the most heavily taxed assets your heirs can receive. It might be more favorable to name a charitable organization, like the AONL Foundation, as a beneficiary of that asset, and give other assets that do not have as high a tax burden to your loved ones. Remember, beneficiary designations overrule your estate plans, including your will or trust, so be sure to update all accounts with beneficiary designations to ensure that your legacy will truly be the way you want it.
Every person’s situation is different, so please talk to your attorney or estate planning advisor as you make your plans.
Life Insurance Plans
You can name an individual or an organization a beneficiary of a life insurance plan. As with other beneficiary designations, the beneficiary designation supersedes your estate plans. You might want to review these periodically to ensure that your wishes are being fulfilled.
Every person’s situation is different, so please talk to your attorney or estate planning advisor as you make your plans.
Bank Account Assets
You can name an individual or an organization a beneficiary of a bank account. As with other beneficiary designations, the beneficiary designation supersedes your estate plans. You might want to review these periodically to ensure that your wishes are being fulfilled.
Every person’s situation is different, so please talk to your attorney or estate planning advisor as you make your plans.
