The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics Department has received a gift of $1.2 million from an anonymous donor. Twenty-two UH Mānoa sports programs will benefit from the donor’s foresight and generosity, including cheerleading and the band.
This gift follows an $875,000 gift made to UH Athletics by the same donor in 2011, bringing her total gift to the school to more than $2 million. Thomas Mui, a local estate planning attorney, counseled his client on both of these significant philanthropic decisions. Specifically, his client wanted to make a big impact for our island community, and she wanted to express her strong belief in the importance of UH Athletics and its student-athletes. Mui believes this was achieved through thoughtful and innovative legal planning, which included the use of a well-designed charitable remainder trust.
“While my client was never an athlete herself, she appreciates the role that UH Athletics plays in our local community both in terms of serving as a healthy outlet for our young people and as a way for them to further their education. It is her hope and mine that this gift will serve as an incentive for others to contribute to and support UH Athletics at a time when the money is sorely needed,” Mui said.
“We are very grateful to Mr. Mui and to his client for her extraordinary generosity,” said UH Mānoa Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman. He continued, “Personal gifts such as this one will help student-athletes for years to come fulfill their academic and athletic potential. By investing in our athletics program, donors are also enriching our community by keeping top-notch athletic events accessible to all, and stimulating a range of economic benefits.”
Donna Vuchinich, president and CEO of the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation added, “Charitable remainder trusts create a win-win situation for both UH and the donor. Donors receive tax benefits, a lifetime income stream, and the immense satisfaction of knowing that their gifts will make a lasting impact in the areas that they are passionate about. Our professional team in the Office of Estate and Gift Planning are happy to talk to prospective donors, in confidence, about tax-advantaged strategies that will also support their favorite program at UH.”
To learn more about how you can support the University of Hawaiʻi through estate planning and charitable trusts, please contact the Office of Estate and Gift Planning at (808) 956-8034 or giftplanning@uhfoundation.org.
