Donor Recognition Programs
Luther honors major benefactors of the college through five donor recognition programs. Members of the President's Council, the Legacy Trust, the Heritage Club, the Loyalty Trust, and the Leadership Trust receive special recognition for their commitment to Luther College and the students it serves.
The President's Council
Click here to see photos of the most recent President's Council recognition event.The President's Council recognizes the most substantial contributors to the college annually. Membership is offered to donors who give personal gifts of $1,000 or more in a calendar year to support capital, endowed, campaign, or current fund projects. Planned gifts qualify donors for council membership in the year they are given and count at half their book value. Annual membership in the council is offered at these levels:
- President's Executive Cabinet -- $50,000 or more
- President's Associates -- $25,000 - $49,999
- President's Academy -- $l0,000 - $24,999
- President's Society -- $1,000 - $9,999
Life membership in the President's Council honors those whose cumulative cash gifts total $100,000 or more, those who have established irrevocable planned gifts with remainder interest present values of $100,000 or more, those who have made irrevocable gifts of life insurance policies with cash values of $100,000 or more, or those who have contributed combinations thereof, which total $100,000 or more. In honor of their exemplary leadership in giving, Life Members are recognized as members of the President's Circle.
THE PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE
- The Larsen Circle -- $1,000,000 and over
- The Preus Circle -- $500,000-$999,999
- The Olson Circle -- $250,000-$499,999
- The Ylvisaker Circle -- $100,000-$249,999
The President's Circle commemorates these pioneer presidents of Luther College: Peter Laurentius (Laur.) Larsen, 1861-1902; Christian Keyser Preus, 1902-21; Oscar Ludvig Olson, 1921-32; Ove J.H. Preus, 1932-48; and J. Wilhelm Ylvisaker, 1948-62.
The Legacy Trust
The Legacy Trust recognizes gifts to the endowed scholarship program of Luther College. Membership is offered to donors who establish endowed scholarships of $25,000 or more in honor of an individual, couple, or family. Legacy Trust donors qualify for membership in the President's Council.
- Heritage Scholarship -- $250,000 or more
- Founders Scholarship -- $100,000
- Vision Scholarship -- $50,000
- Legacy Scholarship -- $25,000
The Heritage Club
The Heritage Club recognizes planned gifts to Luther College. A donor qualifies for membership through a will bequest, insurance designation, charitable gift annuity, pooled income fund, revocable trust, charitable remainder trust, charitable lead trust, or retained life estate. Gifts with a book value of $2,000 or more qualify members for the President's Council in the year they are given. Life membership in the council is offered to donors who contribute irrevocable planned gifts with remainder interest present values of $100,000 or more. The annual Heritage Club dinner and program is held on campus during Commencement Weekend each year.
The Loyalty Trust
The Loyalty Trust recognizes special gifts to Luther College. Membership is offered to donors who make special gifts of any size. Such gifts include class reunion gifts, class gifts, college anniversary gifts, memorial gifts, or special project support. Gifts of $1,000 or more to the Loyalty Trust qualify donors for membership in the President's Council.
The Leadership Trust
The Leadership Trust recognizes contributions to the Luther College Annual Fund. Membership is offered to donors who make annual unrestricted gifts to the college for current operations. Annual membership in the Leadership Trust is offered at these levels:
- Benefactor*
Titanium--$25,000 or more
Platinum--$10,000 to $24,999
Gold--$5,000 to $9,999
Silver--$2,500 to $4,999
Bronze-- $l,000 to $2,499 - Patron -- $500 - $999
- Affiliate -- $250 - $499
- Donor -- $100 - $249
- Friend -- up to $99
* Annual Fund donors of $1,000 or more also become members of the President's Council, which recognizes donors of $1,000 to any Luther program or project.