Mary Thielemeir

donor-mary-thielemeir.jpgFor 50+ years, Mary Thielemeir has volunteered, served on nonprofit boards, and provided leadership and support to humanitarian, educational, and healthcare organizations close to her heart, including Feeding America. She formed the MET Limited Liability Partnership in 1992 with Feeding America as one of the beneficiaries, and has since grown her investment into a friendship and partnership for 20+ years.

"Volunteering and philanthropy have been a critical part of my entire life; my mother was a big advocate of giving back, and I stood by her side through many of her efforts. My father was in the food business in California, and Feeding America was a natural fit for me. I have made incredible friends and important connections through my work with nonprofit organizations.

"I chose to partner with Feeding America because of their impressive ability at the national level and across the network to maximize efficiencies and relationships across the country for the good of all hungry Americans. I also know that they will put the majority of their revenue directly into their programs to fight hunger, and that they lead the field in ground-breaking research that informs the policies and efforts of every agency that is working to end hunger.

"I first formed the MET Limited Liability Partnership because I wanted to have an impact I could see with an organization that I knew would do the most good with my philanthropy. I believe establishing a planned gift is more fun to do when you're younger, and you can watch it grow and establish a direct, engaged connection with the organization. It is like planting seeds in your garden: you plant them, nourish them, at times you prune them, and then you get to watch them grow and flourish. I have attended Feeding America conferences, visited the national office, and been inside network member food banks, and I have been able to see first-hand incredible new programs and initiatives take shape at Feeding America and in the network. I have also formed friendships with the people at Feeding America and member food banks who share my passion for taking care of others, and I am thrilled to be a part of their important work.

"It touches my heart when I think of the backpacks being filled with food for children and when I see the face of a person who is able to go home with some food for their family and not have to be hungry.

"There is no way America would be where it is in the fight against hunger today without Feeding America."

The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Feeding America a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to Feeding America, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60601 , or its successor thereto, ______________* [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Feeding America or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Feeding America as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Feeding America as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Feeding America where you agree to make a gift to Feeding America and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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