Planned Giving: Securing Your Legacy and Supporting ECTC

At Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC), lives are changed every day through access to quality education and opportunity. As proud members of the Elizabethtown community, we at Owen LaRue Financial believe there’s no better way to make a lasting difference than through planned giving—a strategic way to align your financial goals with meaningful, long-term impact.

What is Planned Giving?

Planned giving allows individuals to support causes they care about, like ECTC, through gifts that are arranged now and fulfilled later—typically as part of an estate plan. These gifts offer a way to leave a legacy while also providing financial flexibility and potential tax advantages.

"Planned giving is not just about generosity—it's about purpose," says Ben LaRue, co-founder of Owen LaRue Financial. "It’s one of the most powerful ways to ensure your values endure while also caring for your family and financial wellbeing."

Why It Matters to ECTC?

As a regional anchor for education and workforce training, ECTC depends on visionary donors to fuel scholarships, faculty innovation, and new programs. Planned gifts offer a dependable stream of future funding, helping students thrive regardless of economic cycles or budget constraints.

"Every time a student earns a degree or gains a skill at ECTC, our entire region gets stronger," says Jim Owen, co-founder of Owen LaRue Financial. "Planned giving ensures that story keeps repeating for generations."

Types of Planned Gifts

Several gift structures can help you leave a lasting mark:

• Bequests – Leave a fixed amount or percentage of your estate to ECTC in your will or trust. Simple and revocable at any time.
• Beneficiary Designations – Name ECTC as a beneficiary on life insurance policies, IRAs, or retirement accounts. These are easy to update and avoid probate.
• Charitable Gift Annuities (CGAs) – Provide lifetime income in exchange for a future gift to ECTC.
• Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) – Receive income from appreciated assets now, with ECTC receiving the remainder later.
• Charitable Lead Trusts (CLTs) – Provide current support to ECTC, with the principal later passing to heirs—helpful for reducing estate taxes.
• Gifts of Appreciated Assets – Transfer stocks or property to ECTC to avoid capital gains tax and receive a charitable deduction.

Best Practices for Effective Giving

To ensure your gift achieves what you intend, consider these steps:

1. Clarify Your Vision: Think through what you want your gift to support—scholarships, career programs, or campus improvements—and communicate those preferences clearly.
2. Coordinate with Advisors: "Your estate and tax strategy should reflect your whole financial picture," Jim Owen notes. "Our role is to help ensure your giving is efficient and aligned with your values." Work with an estate attorney, CPA, and financial planner to structure your gift optimally.
3. Notify ECTC: Let the college’s advancement or foundation office know your intentions. This helps ensure proper documentation and that your gift is used as intended.
4. Review Regularly: Family circumstances, tax laws, and ECTC’s priorities evolve. Review your plan every few years to make sure it still meets your goals.
5. Communicate Your Legacy: While some donors choose to give anonymously, others allow ECTC to recognize their gift—encouraging others and ensuring alignment. "Leaving a legacy doesn’t require wealth—it just requires intention," says Ben LaRue. "Many of the most meaningful gifts we’ve helped structure came from everyday people with extraordinary hearts."

A Legacy That Lives On

Imagine a retired teacher leaving a portion of her IRA to fund ECTC scholarships for future educators. Or a local business owner bequeathing appreciated stock to expand workforce training. These aren't just transactions—they’re testaments to lives lived with purpose and generosity.

At Owen LaRue Financial, we consider it an honor to help donors turn their values into action through thoughtful financial planning.

If you’re considering a planned gift to ECTC or want to explore your options:

• Contact ECTC’s Office of Institutional Advancement.
• Reach out to our team at Owen LaRue Financial for a complimentary consultation on legacy and estate planning.
• Request sample bequest language or giving templates designed for ECTC supporters.

Final Thought

Your gift has the power to outlive you, transform lives, and leave a legacy of opportunity.

As Jim Owen puts it, “The greatest investment we can make is in people—and there’s no better return than helping students build a future.”

Owen LaRue Financial

Helping individuals and families across Central Kentucky plan with purpose—for today and for generations to come.

This is being provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any specific securities. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and all investing involves risk. Index returns shown are not reflective of actual performance, nor reflect fees and expenses applicable to investing. One cannot invest directly in an index. The views expressed are those of the Presenter and do not necessarily reflect the views of the ECTC Foundation or any of its affiliates. Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed.