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CFR Donor Spotlight
Gifts of land provide long-term benefits
For LaRon and Ester Gober, a gift of forestland seemed like the perfect way to give back to Mississippi State. The Gobers donated 283 acres in Attala County to the College of Forest Resources and the Bagley College of Engineering.
The Gobers made the gift in honor of the engineering career enjoyed by LaRon, as well as the enjoyment they received from the forestland. Students in both colleges benefit from the LaRon and Esther Gober Endowment Fund.
"We love the idea of using this land to benefit forestry and engineering students. It was a great way to give back to Mississippi State University," said Ester Gober.
The Gobers are just one example of individuals creating a legacy with gifts of land at MSU. Gifts of land can benefit any of the university’s nine colleges. The donated properties are managed by the College of Forest Resources using the best management practices for growth and harvest of timber.
"Forest and wildlife management professionals at MSU provide professional management and assessment of each donated property," said Jeff Little, CFR development officer. "Funds generated from the properties provide needed support to the university for scholarships, equipment and faculty development."
The properties also are used as living laboratories where forest management practices provide teaching, research and demonstration opportunities for students, farmers and landowners.
"The College of Forest Resources and the MSU Foundation work with landowners and their professional financial planners to arrange the terms of gifts to suit individual needs," Little said. "A carefully planned gift of forestland will give financial benefits for the donor, including a lifetime income, a shield from capital gains and estate taxes, and income tax deductions, among others." For more information on donating your land to the university, contact Jeff Little at (662) 325-8151 or jlittle@foundation.Msstate.edu.
Make A Gift
Find out more ways to give by visiting the MSU Foundation at msufoundation.com
Thank you for your interest in giving to the College of Forest Resources. Establishing a scholarship is a 10-step process, outlined below. If you have any questions, please contact one of our Directors of Development.
- Contact the College of Forest Resources to discuss interest.
- Receive sample gift agreement from the College of Forest Resources and develop selection criteria.
- Return gift agreement to the College of Forest Resources with selection criteria and other information indicated. We will create a new gift agreement that indicates the donor's wishes. Academic area and scholarship office may proof and edit also.
- The College of Forest Resources will return the edited gift agreement to the donor for signature.
- Once the signed gift agreement is received from the donor, document is routed for academic signature (if appropriate) and MSU Foundation signature.
- MSU Foundation distributes copies of signed gift agreement to all parties (original is kept on file at the MSU Foundation).
- Donor contributions are received and designated to donor scholarship.
- After earnings accrue, or annual funds are available, the College of Forest Resources Scholarship Committee awards scholarship based on the gift agreement selection criteria.
- Students receive the scholarship through the university comptroller (scholarship money is applied to tuition, not awarded directly to student).
- Student is encouraged to write donor a letter of thanks.
There are numerous ways to give to Mississippi State and the College of Forest Resources:
- Outright gifts - generate the most immediate return for your contributions.
- Planned gifts - allow you to achieve personal benefits while simultaneously providing invaluable support to the university.
- Naming Opportunities - a variety of options exist for donors who wish to pursue naming opportunities.
- Donor Advised Fund - allows the donor to make recommendations on donation disbursement.
- Make a gift - Click here to start making your own personalized gift immediately with a secure online transaction using your credit card.
