Al and Julie Brittain
Adrian, Mich.

“The more you give, the more you receive.”

This is one of Allan Brittain’s favorite expressions. Allan, a retired banker and former SHU trustee, and his wife, Julie, a retired schoolteacher, have found this phrase to be true from their giving experience. The couple encourages others to test this statement for themselves.

“Giving becomes a part of my life,” Allan said. “It becomes part of the joy when you actually feel that. … We all have some sort of ability to give and many don’t realize it and therefore they go through life and pass away and never experience what that joy really is.”

The Brittains recently established a charitable remainder trust (CRT) which names Siena Heights University as a beneficiary. CRTs enable donors to make a significant gift, receive a partial tax deduction and receive income for life. The income can be fixed or variable.

“We control how it is being invested,” Allan said of how the trust works. “We will get an income for the rest of our lives. My wife and I, for the rest of our lives, are going to annually receive a percentage of the value.”

The Brittains said they are pleased to be leaving a legacy of giving.

“Look at what you have and do something. Do something,” Allan said. “It will pay you over and over and over. It’s beautiful.”