VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2014
NEWS
Planned Giving
Land gift leaves a legacy Thanks to Valerie Wilson, the land that has such a deep connection to the Wilson family’s past will create a bright future for the University of Lethbridge.
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ust north of Cochrane, there is a piece of land nestled in the rolling hills, basking in Alberta’s big sky and offering a coveted view at every turn. The land holds history: decades of hard work, honesty and integrity are entrenched in every foot of its fertile soil. “When my father-in-law, George Wilson, came to Cochrane in 1905 from North Dakota, he settled on two quarters and broke the land,” says Valerie Wilson, who keeps the land and the three Wilson men who devoted their lives to working it close to her heart. “George passed his work ethic, dignity and commitment to community to his
sons, my husband Murray and his brother Carl. They were gentle men who lived with the land.” Over the years, the Wilson family estate grew. Valerie and Murray spent 17 years together, working hard, ranching and raising one of Alberta’s finest herds before Murray sadly passed away in 2006. “He worked 55 years without a day off,” Valerie says of Murray, who was one of the most respected cattlemen in the province. Although all three Wilson men are gone now, their legacy lives on through Valerie and her vision for the property. The land that has such a deep connection to the family’s past will create a bright
future for the University of Lethbridge. Valerie has donated a piece of this heritage property to the U of L, which will benefit the institution, its researchers and students for generations to come. “The gift to the U of L is a reflection of my husband, brother-in-law and father-in-law, and their lives and work in agriculture,” Valerie sentimentally explains. “The U of L of was one of my picks because so many of our rural children go there, many of them studying agriculture.” An accomplished businesswoman and skillful investor, Valerie has high Story continued on next page
Winter Spring 2014 2013
Planned Giving News expectations for the 160 acres designated for the U of L. “It’s a beautiful spot,” she says. “My hope is that it will become part of the hamlet of Westbrook in the future, making it sub-dividable, which will truly increase the value of the land and bring a great bounty to the U of L.” Valerie’s donation to the University, however, is more than the land. She is sharing her time and her real estate knowledge with the institution. From a technical standpoint, Valerie and the U of L came to a unique agreement around this gift where the U of L would receive the property immediately, but Valerie would lease the property for a term and would be able to advise the University on the best time to sell. Until then, Valerie continues to care for the land and graze cattle on it. “It’s such a valuable arrangement,” she says. “As a rancher or farmer you get the best of both worlds. You can continue to enjoy the use of the land as well as see the potential benefits of your gift while you are alive.” And after a lifetime of work, being able to see the outcome of her donation is important to Valerie, whose life has been shaped by hard work and discipline. “I’ve always believed that people who are good and do good, live well,” says Valerie, who began working when she was eight years old. “I worked throughout my life and loved every day of it.” Although working hard is core to who Valerie is, so are the people who surround her. A poet, gardener and someone who “feeds the world,” she has nurtured lifelong friendships, maintained a strong connection to her community and radiates a spitfire personality and kind, welcoming spirit. And for those who know Valerie, this generous gift is reflective of her character, morals and love of people. “I have had a sense of charity my entire life,” she says, “I want my donations to help others and I hope to inspire others to make a similar gift.”
Fred Greene shares insight on gifting artwork or cultural property.
Ask an advisor The University of Lethbridge has been shaped by visionary gifts as unique as the individuals and organizations who make them. Made up of contributions – both big and small – as well as gifts of land, art and everything in between, donor support has created extraordinary opportunities at the University of Lethbridge. Today, the U of L is recognized on the international stage for its outstanding art collection, which is one of the most significant collections in Canada. The Collection is available through public programming and tours at the Gallery, as well as an online digital database providing artworkspecific information that can be utilized by students, artists, researchers and members of the public. All of this is made possible thanks to the generous support of donors. Fred Greene, who recently retired as the U of L administrative manager, shares insight on gifting artwork or cultural property.
Q: The U of L Art Gallery accepts certain gifts of art to its collection. What is the process a donor needs to know when making such a gift? How long does it take?
A: If donors are interested in gifting artwork we request they write a dated and signed Letter of Intent together with their contact information. We ask that they include an image such as a slide, print or photocopy of the work. They
Winter 2014
should include the name of the work, the artist, the date of purchase, where it was purchased, from whom and the purchase price. Donors should provide provenance or history of ownership for the piece with proof such as receipts. The curator reviews the information and presents a report to the University of Lethbridge Art Acquisition Committee describing the gift and its significance to the collection. The committee then decides whether to accept the piece. Considerations may include how the piece ties to the existing collection, whether we already own pieces from the same artist and the item’s significance locally, nationally or internationally. If the Art Acquisition Committee accepts the gift offer and the works are in-house donors receive a Letter of Acceptance and a Deed of Gift. Once the deed is signed and returned, we proceed with formal appraisals, certification through the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board (CCPERB) (if applicable) and receipting. The entire process may take from six months to a year. Q: What are the benefits to a donor in gifting a piece of artwork? A: Gifts of artwork are eligible for a charitable tax receipt. In many cases we will apply to have the work certified as cultural property through the CCPERB. If it becomes certified then the donor may use the tax receipt against 100 per cent of annual income and any unused portions can be carried forward for five years. Without the certification, as with regular cash donations, donors may use tax receipts against only 75 per cent of their income in any year. The other benefits donors gain include knowing the piece will be part of our collection forever, will be well cared for and will be available for research or exhibition. Q: Do you certify all artwork? A: No. Because of the time and expense involved we typically pursue certification only for an item or collection of items that are worth more than $5,000. For items
Planned Giving News
less than $5,000, we still require qualified appraisals and will issue a regular tax receipt. Q: What is involved in the certification process? A: For work valued between $5,000 and $20,000 we require one appraisal from a recognized appraiser. For certified gifts valued over $20,000, we require two independent appraisals or one single appraisal from the Art Dealers Association of Canada (ADAC). We prepare a detailed information package including a condition report, appraisal, images and an essay describing the significance of the work for CCPERB approval. When certification is approved and complete we can issue the appropriate tax receipt and add the item to our collection. Q: Are donors expected to supply or pay for the appraisals and shipping of the art? A: Ideally, yes. We do ask that donors pay for the appraisal and we will issue a tax receipt for that as well. Alternatively, they may make a cash donation in addition to gifting the art to cover the costs associated with our receiving and accepting the gift. The U of L Art Gallery does not have lavish discretionary funds so we welcome that additional commitment from donors. We have found that most donors understand this and are willing to partner with us in being stewards of the work. Q: Are you able to accept a gift of art if the donor does not really know its provenance or history of ownership? A: The less a donor knows about the history of ownership the harder it is for us to accept. It is an owner’s responsibility to know the provenance so they are not unwittingly and unwillingly in possession of pieces that have been stolen or confiscated from rightful owners. If a donor is not familiar with the entire history of a piece we may be able to help seek out that information.
Q: Can people leave a gift of art through a bequest? A: Yes, we invite people to consider that option. We do suggest that people consult with us about the nature of the art before finalizing their will. We want to ensure we understand the donor’s intentions and can honour them and that the item will be a fit with our collection. With the help of planned giving staff we can also provide proper bequest wording for donors to share with their lawyers. Q: If people do not wish to donate art but would like to support the gallery in other ways, what are their options? A: Caring for the art collection and running gallery programs are tremendous undertakings, and we are funded only to a small degree through predictable sources. We do have an Art Gallery Maintenance Endowment helps us with costs of storing, exhibiting or restoring art. The fund also allows us to run programs, host internships and travel the work. We create publications and provide many other opportunities for the public, students, professor and others to benefit from our collection. Much of this endowment was initially established by a legacy gift. Anyone may add to this fund through current donations or a bequest. Donors will have the assurance that their gift will preserve and promote the national treasures we have right here in the U of L Art collection. Q: Have donors ever contributed art plus cash gifts? A: Yes, and that is a dream gift for our gallery. We have had individuals and corporations donate pieces of art, contributed the costs of appraisal and shipping and added a meaningful cash contribution to support its care, maintenance, research and related gallery programs or exhibit costs. For more information on the U of L art gallery, visit: www.uleth.ca/artgallery
Planned Giving News
Winter 2014
Continuing his vision By gifting his homestead property and a significant portion of his art collection to the University of Lethbridge, Dr. Jim Coutts (LLD ’12) realized his vision and helped establish the Coutts Centre for Western Canadian Heritage. “A piece of you will always stay wherever it is that you came from, and you also carry a piece of that landscape with you,” Dr. Jim Coutts (LLD ’12), a southern Alberta-based art collector, political advisor and philanthropist, once said. Sadly, Dr. Coutts passed away on December 31, 2013. Over recent years, however, Dr. Coutts generously donated his homestead property and a significant portion of his art collection to the University of Lethbridge. The more than 100-year-old property in Nanton, Alta., that once belonged to Dr. Coutts’s grandfather is now home to the Coutts Centre for Western Canadian Heritage, which will preserve and celebrate the diverse culture that is central to the spirit of the West. The property enables the U of L to enhance the student experience in ways relevant to the goals and values described within the framework of a liberal
The Fiat Lux Legacy Society honours donors who have left a legacy gift or are planning a legacy gift that will benefit the University of Lethbridge in the future. Its esteemed members come from all walks of life and have very diverse backgrounds. What they have in common is gratitude and the desire to give back and make a difference. Please save the date for the upcoming Fiat Lux Legacy Society event on Thursday, April 3, 2014, featuring Dr. Heidi MacDonald, U of L history professor and director of the newly launched Centre for Oral History and Tradition (COHT).
education. Treating the Coutts Centre as a living classroom, students, faculty and visitors make use of the natural setting to study the history, artwork, ecosystems and geography associated with the area. “The Coutts Centre for Western Canadian Heritage is a continuum of what I started, what I was doing and what I want to see in the future,” Coutts said in 2009.
For more information:
Our planned giving staff is happy to answer any of your questions or provide you with more resources about giving opportunities at the University of Lethbridge. Please contact: Kathy MacFarlane, CFRE, Manager of Development Programs University Advancement | University of Lethbridge PB103, 324 5th Street South | Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4 403-317-2838 | kathy.macfarlane@uleth.ca www.ulethbridge.ca/giving/planned-giving For more stories, visit www.ulethbridge.ca/campaigns/giving
Drawing on examples from the oral history project on famed portraitist Nicholas de Grandmaison. Dr. MacDonald will speak about the importance of oral histories and highlight the unique collaboration between COHT, the University Art Gallery and Archives. Please contact us for more information on this event or on how you can be part of the Fiat Lux Legacy Society.
Planned Giving News is produced by the Advancement Office at the University of Lethbridge. Although the information is derived from professional and reliable sources, this document does not constitute legal or financial advice. For advice on individual circumstances, please confer with your own legal and financial counsel. The U of L, its employees and agents assume no responsibility for damages, errors or omissions related to this published material.