Start Investing Early in a Charitable Giving Plan

Regi Munro started saving for her alma mater during her first full-time job.

Regi Munro knows all about what a kick start can do. She was a forward on the UW-Eau Claire soccer team from 1985-89 and never forgot what that experience did for her. When she landed her first full-time job, as a fitness center manager at a community college, she set a goal to use a tax-sheltered fund to make a charitable contribution to her alma mater. Eventually she became a faculty member at Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Chandler, Ariz., and later, chair of the Biological Sciences Division. It didn't take long for the account to reach $100,000.

"That's when I decided to set up the UW-Eau Claire Women's Soccer Opportunity Fund, because I knew that I could start giving monthly," said Regi, who holds a bachelor's degree in Spanish, a master's degree in exercise science and a doctoral degree in exercise and wellness. "I jokingly call it my 'dead money.' I'm never going to touch those dollars."

Now Regi's "dead" money is not only breathing new life into the soccer program, but also women's softball and basketball at UW-Eau Claire.

"When I was on the team, soccer was still a club sport, but we played against varsity teams from around the region so we were competitive. The experience completely changed my life."

Regi said she has been impressed with UW-Eau Claire coaches Sean Yengo, head soccer coach, Tonia Englund, women's basketball coach and Leslie Huntington, women's softball coach. Regi set up each related fund in honor of important people in her life: one for her mother, one for her grandmother and one for Renee Smith, a former softball player and cancer survivor who was recognized with the first annual Sandy Schumacher award, named for a beloved longtime coach who recently passed away.

"I care a lot about how coaches coach and what they do in in developing their players as people," Regi said. "I keep seeing progress and people who are passionate about what they do. I know there is never enough money to do what you want to do. With these funds I am confident I'm giving to something that is truly getting to those students."

In addition to the athletic funds, Regi has given to the Blugold women's softball "locker campaign" to support her nieces who attend UW-Eau Claire, and she is supporting Coach Yengo's appeal to help build a soccer pavilion at Bollinger Field.

So why does Regi encourage others to think about their "dead" money no matter their age or point in their career?

"The earlier you start, the more you can do," she said. "When people hear the word 'estate' they think of rich people. But it doesn't have to be big. Start small and build something!"