Wills and Bequests

During her lifetime, educator Frances Saxton exemplified the kind of civically engaged, socially conscious and philanthropically inclined person attracted by the thoughtful programming on public radio.

Benefactor Frances Saxton

"She was a long time member and a donor to our past Endowment and Capital Campaign funds. She attended many station events and activities. She was in short a very special friend," said GM Lamar Marchese.

"We lost Frances in December 2003 at age 85, and she surprised us by extending her giving yet again by naming Nevada Public Radio as a beneficiary in her will. Mrs. Saxton's bequest of $47,000 will be applied to support programming and operations at Nevada Public Radio.

"We are very grateful for this bequest and honored that Frances chose to include us among those organizations that she trusted and wanted to assure that their work continues," said Marchese.

"She will be remembered most for her giving, caring, warmth, grace and kindness," said Dr. Patrick Leary, a friend, her estate executor and professor of biology at the Community College of Southern Nevada.

"She will remain a role model for those who have known her and will endure as a major element in the fabric of our lives. Frances Saxton is survived by literally hundreds of friends," Prof. Leary said.

Frances's gift also marks the emergence at Nevada Public Radio of a more active effort to attract bequests to support our stations. In addition to providing a legacy for future generations, advantageous tax advantages may also be available through various giving instruments. Contact Melanie Cannon, director of development, at (702) 258-9895, ext. 104, for more information about naming Nevada Public Radio in your will or about other planned giving options.

Julie Amacher (Monday-Friday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Julie Amacher's desire to introduce others to great music is what led her to radio. She began her professional broadcast career at a station in Sun Prairie, Wisc. She went from rock 'n' roll to the Rocky Mountains, where she found her niche in public radio at KUNC in Greeley, Colo. Julie spent 13 years at KUNC, where she managed the announcers and their eclectic music format. During that time, she earned four national awards for best announcer. She joined Classical 24 in 1997.

Specific language is used in a will to make a bequest. Please consult with your attorney if this is of interest to you. Some sample bequest language is available here. There is also some additional information available about the benefits of utilizing a charitable bequest and how bequests enable you to keep control of your assets.

Using funds from a retirement account to make bequests is often a good strategy. If there is a balance in your retirement account at your death, not only is there a potential income tax burden, but there may be estate taxes as well. Estimates are that taxes could eat up as much as 70-75% of retirement assets under certain circumstances. Careful planning concerning retirement funds needs to be done. Some additional information regarding retirement assets is available.

Another option to consider in making a gift is to use life insurance policies that are no longer needed or necessary. There are some different ways to make a gift of life insurance.

Frances's gift also marks the emergence at Nevada Public Radio of a more active effort to attract bequests to support our stations. In addition to providing a legacy for future generations, advantageous tax advantages may also be available through various giving instruments. Contact Melanie Cannon, director of development, at (702) 258-9895, ext. 104, for more information about naming Nevada Public Radio in your will or about other planned giving options.

To read about charitable gift annuities, click here.

© 2006 Nevada Public Radio
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