For more than 50 years, 160 acres of land located at a bend in the road just south of Hortonville was cultivated into a wooded oasis. Its owner’s wish was for this cherished place to be preserved and inspire future stewards of the outdoors.
A connection to the FVTC Foundation was made and in December 2024, after months of careful consideration, the Foundation accepted this generous donation with the intent to transfer ownership to Fox Valley Technical College for educational purposes. After a year of improvements funded by the Foundation, ownership was transferred to FVTC in January of this year. The appraised value of the land is $1.3M.
Located 15 miles from FVTC’s Appleton campus, the property is primarily wooded and features four ponds, trails and lush natural habitat. FVTC’s Natural Resources program has identified numerous uses for areas of study including wildlife and fisheries, water conservation, horticulture, wildland fire and forestry. The college is creating a facilities plan which will help shape future plans for the property.
“The land donation is an amazingly thoughtful gift and will benefit FVTC and its students for years to come,” says Jon Fischer, an attorney with McCarty Law and FVTC Foundation Board member. “Having an opportunity for students to do work in a real-world environment will make their education even more meaningful and prepare those students for life after school.”
Land is more than just an asset, it’s often a legacy, a source of pride and a symbol of hard work. It can be challenging to part with. However with the right approach, gifting land or other non-cash assets to the FVTC Foundation can be a powerful way to support education and workforce training in our communities.
“It is an honor for the Foundation, and for me personally, to be part of someone’s legacy. During the months of discussions about accepting this unique gift, it became clear that this land was the result of a lifetime of careful stewardship by its owners,” says Becky Boulanger, executive director of the FVTC Foundation. “It was evident from our first visit that this land was a gem with incredible potential for learning.”
Transferring land ownership for a charitable donation involves several important steps such as creating legal documents and an agreement with the donor, exploring hazards and gaining insurance, Becky explains. For this gift, these steps required the expertise of the College and Foundation staff, as well as the Foundation’s Board of Directors. The Board’s feedback, guidance and support was critical as the Foundation worked through the details of accepting the gift.
“Receiving real estate as a gift will always be more complex than a gift of cash or securities,” Jon says.
The FVTC Foundation’s gift acceptance policy allows the Board to consider complex and noncash gifts. In most instances, the Foundation will sell the property and the proceeds will be used to support FVTC and its students in a way that’s most meaningful to the donor.
For people considering donating property, they need to consider the legal, financial and tax implications and consult with experts in this area to ensure a smooth process. Jon recommends talking with the charity about how it may use the property, or if it will be sold, what the proceeds will be used for. When considering the gift, the Foundation Board will look at the property’s marketability, maintenance and carrying costs and appraisal.
While the land — called the Z Place — was cherished by its owners, it will continue to be held in its carefully planned state for at least the foreseeable future.
“The gift of the Z Place is just one example of how the Foundation can enhance our partnership with FVTC and advance the educational opportunities available to students beyond scholarships and other financial assistance. Particularly in matters of real estate, the Foundation can be nimble in ways the College cannot.
“It was a privilege to work with the donors to receive this gift. Everyone who visits the property is stunned by its beauty and its potential to inspire and educate current and future Natural Resource program students,” Becky explains.
Over time, she added, it is anticipated that many other program areas will benefit from educational opportunities a property like this could accommodate.
Gifting property is a powerful tool. The key is working with experienced advisors who understand both charitable and tax planning aspects.
Go here to learn more about ways to give to the FVTC Foundation.
Gifting Property
There are a number of ways to donate land or commercial real estate, each with its own benefits. Here are some options:
- Give property outright to FVTC Foundation — Can provide tax deductible benefits and may avoid capital gains tax.
- Transfer property to charitable trust — Can provide lifetime income and a tax deduction.
- Give property for charitable gift annuity — Can provide lifetime income and a tax deduction.
- Bargain sale — Can provide cash, tax deductible benefits and may avoid capital gains tax.
