When Robert J. Hardin said merci beaucoup to the University of North Texas, he thanked UNT with a gift annuity. Robert, a retired UNT professor of foreign languages, taught French from the 1960s through the '90s. Working with the UNT Foundation, he will help provide quality education for UNT students like those he taught for so many years.

About 10 years ago, Robert established an annuity with the foundation. Through gift annuities like Robert's, donors contribute cash, securities or other assets to charity. In exchange, they receive annual payments for the rest of their lives, and they also get an income-tax break on a portion of the payments from the annuities. "It's a good way to manage your funds and help the university at the same time," Robert says. "Most people are looking for what to do with their money if they're making above and beyond necessities. One option is a charitable gift that pays you back."

Gift annuities are attractive to donors who want to receive income from assets that have risen sharply in value, such as cash or stocks. The amount you receive in return depends on your age when payments begin. Robert encourages others to consider a UNT gift annuity as a good investment option. "As far as I'm concerned it's a fine way to deal with your money," he says. "It certainly was in my case. I'm not a rich person. I didn't want to put my money in a bank or invest too heavily in stocks. This was an excellent way of investing and getting money back every year for the rest of my life.

"The foundation is richer than it was 10 years ago," Robert says. "Its programs support the school and benefit the giver. This charitable gift is tax-sheltered, helping the donor and serving the school.

"With money problems people have these days, any contribution will help them. This gift annuity will help young people receive a quality education," he says. "Education is important in a healthy nation's life and in keeping standards up and not letting them go. As rich and powerful as this country is, it has problems with education. I want to support better education. Ultimately, a charitable gift to the UNT Foundation will benefit us all."