John and Martha Hitt's Quiet Giving Legacy

John C. Hitt spent 26 years as the president of UCF, providing unequaled leadership as the university grew dramatically in both size and stature. But one aspect of his leadership has gone largely unsung: the personal philanthropy of John and Martha Hitt, particularly through planned giving.

As founding members of the Charles Millican Legacy Society, the Hitts have made three planned gifts to the university — two charitable gift annuities and a life insurance gift.

"We saw the chance to make a good commitment for the longer-term prosperity of the university through planned giving," Dr. Hitt said. "Most of us can, with appropriate planning, leave more to charitable causes when we have left this earth than when we are on it, and Martha and I are no different in that respect."

John Hitt says that the charitable gift annuities, which will fund student scholarships and support the UCF library, were both a way to give back to a cause they are passionate about and a good investment.

"We pledged support that would become available after we are deceased and (we hope) motivate others to follow on that same path. The income from the annuity is good, and there are tax benefits as well. Overall, it's probably a very good investment," John Hitt said.

The Hitts also made a gift of life insurance that will support the Athletic Director's Discretionary Fund, money that can be used flexibly to benefit and advance athletics at UCF.

"If faculty colleagues or alumni were thinking about the possibility of a planned gift, I would encourage them to think about activities or entities at the university that they think are being done well or that could be done a lot better if there were a dedicated income stream. With a planned gift, you could guarantee funding for that program in perpetuity," John Hitt said.