DOES THE RAF MISSION MATCH YOUR VALUES?

The RAF is fortunate to have a deep bench of professional financial planning talent, coordinated by Steve Maus, CLU, MSFS, and Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy. We are here to learn what is important to you in your legacy planning. Last December, the RAF began sharing a series of planned giving ideas to help you take advantage of tax benefits while helping your favorite charity. 

Beginning with CPA Bruce “Sparky” Parker’s helpful list, our Mid-Month emails continued with Steve’s descriptions of other topics we think you will find useful. You can even specify an RAF project if you wish!



IRA/401k Qualified Charitable Distributions – Naming the RAF as a full or partial beneficiary can save estate and income taxes. 


Publicly Traded Stock – Contribute appreciated stock and enjoy immediate tax savings: a charitable deduction of its current market value; and an exemption from capital gains tax on its appreciation.


Life Insurance Policy – Name a full or partial beneficiary and enjoy a tax deduction for the amount contributed, as well as the annual premium.


The Beneficiary of your Will – You can designate the RAF as beneficiary of all, or part of your estate after other bequests are fulfilled. 


Charitable Split Interest Trust– Tax benefits and the potential of higher retirement income, while fulfilling your legacy wishes.


These ideas will work for any of your favorite charities. If you wish to include the RAF, we are standing by to help! If you have any questions about the options we have discussed, email smaus@theraf.org. 

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By Taylin Trafton • December 23, 2025
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BILL DUGAN IS NEW NEBRASKA LIAISON

By lellington • December 21, 2025
Bill credits aviation for much of his success in business and the ability to serve his companies and family. What began in a Champ, and a Tri-Pacer owned by five people, turned into what Bill calls, “a key business tool” in which he accumulated 9,000 hours – in a Cheyenne, a Pilatus, and a TBM, where ninety-five percent of his flying was for business. “My retirement enabled me to recall ‘Why I Learned to Fly’, a slogan from an old RAF video.” Bill’s son, Patrick, purchased the C185 they now share. “While attending a business function, some associates arrived in corporate jets. As they joined up on the tarmac, the jet pilots gathered around Patrick’s 185, and one of the passengers asked, ‘What’s special about this?’ No explanation needed for this RAF audience,” Bill says. “My involvement in the RAF is, in a partial way, repaying the rewards aviation has endowed me with. Having been involved in many worthwhile nonprofits, this is one where financial support is only part of the picture. Physically participating in great projects that have a lasting effect, with good people, returns a great personal benefit,” he says. “My only regret is that I wasn’t there at the start.” Bill and his wife Jane are privileged to be able to split time between their long-time home in eastern Nebraska and Scottsdale, Arizona. While still serving on several boards, he enjoys golf “about every third shot,” biking, cars, and reading, but always looks forward to the time he can be involved in the RAF. “It’s flying with a purpose,” he adds. Bill can be reached at bdugan@theraf.org

Jake Hampton

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RAF ADDS MICHIGAN LIAISON SCOTT ANTTILA

By Taylin Trafton • December 11, 2025
A Christmas gift of flight lessons from his parents started Scott Anttila’s aviation journey in 1985. “I learned at Johnson Field, a small grass strip tucked into the woods in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and that early exposure to simple backcountry flying stuck with me,” Scott says. Growing up in the U.P., he spent a lot of time outdoors and found that flying was another way to get to the places he liked to explore—especially the ones most people never saw. As he earned more ratings and eventually moved to the Detroit area for work, Scott realized he needed a way to stay connected to northern Michigan. He bought an airplane and used it to get back to the smaller airstrips and lake country he enjoyed. Along the way, he also flew gliders out of Frankfort, soaring along the Sleeping Bear Dunes and towing sailplanes over the Great Lakes. “Those flights gave me a different appreciation for the landscape and made me even more interested in the small, out-of-the-way airports scattered around the state,” he says. Visiting those kinds of places, Scott first came across the Recreational Aviation Foundation. He started using RAF-supported airstrips both inside and outside Michigan. “I noticed how well-kept they were and how much access they opened up,” he says, adding, ”Over the years, I’ve watched a number of grass strips close, which made the RAF’s mission feel especially important to me. Maintaining these airstrips keeps aviation connected to the outdoors and makes it possible for more people to reach the quiet, remote areas that inspired me to fly in the first place.” Scott joins the other two RAF Michigan Liaisons, General Grant and Tanmoy Ganguly. He can be reached at santtila@theraf.org . Submitted December 11, 2025.