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Planned Giving
Charitable Bequest
A charitable bequest is one of the easiest and most flexible ways to leave a gift to Susquehanna University that will make a lasting impact.
Charitable Bequest
Property
Donor's Family
SU
Benefits of a bequest
- Receive an estate tax charitable deduction
- Reduce the burden of taxes on your family
- Leave a lasting legacy to charity
How a bequest works
A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make. With the help of an attorney, you can include language in your will or trust specifying a gift to be made to family, friends or Susquehanna University as part of your estate plan, or you can make a bequest using a beneficiary designation form.
Here are some of the ways to leave a bequest to Susquehanna University
- Include a bequest to Susquehanna University in your will or revocable trust
- Designate Susquehanna University as a full, partial or contingent beneficiary of your retirement account (IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or pension)
- Name Susquehanna University as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy
A bequest may be made in several ways
- Percentage bequest - make a gift of a percentage of your estate
- Specific bequest - make a gift of a specific dollar amount or a specific asset
- Residual bequest - make a gift from the balance or residue of your estate
Sample Bequest Scenario
Parker and David were dedicated volunteers. Over the years, they had seen many individuals helped by the good work of their favorite charity. They wanted to create a legacy to provide future resources to continue its mission.
Parker: The work of our favorite charity was important to us. We regularly made cash gifts but wanted to do more. We received the charity's newsletter and noted that we could make a gift from our estate and join the legacy society. We saw a picture of smiling people just like us, and we wanted to be part of that group.
David: We met with our lawyer to revise our wills, and we each included a provision for a bequest to charity. Our lawyer put language in the will that allows a percentage of our estate to go to our favorite charity. This was easy to arrange and permits us to still use our assets during our lives if we need them.
Parker: We told their gift planner about our decision and were excited when we were invited to a special event honoring us. We will continue to make gifts during our lives, but it feels good to know that our support will help in the future.
David: We met with our lawyer to revise our wills, and we each included a provision for a bequest to charity. Our lawyer put language in the will that allows a percentage of our estate to go to our favorite charity. This was easy to arrange and permits us to still use our assets during our lives if we need them.
Parker: We told their gift planner about our decision and were excited when we were invited to a special event honoring us. We will continue to make gifts during our lives, but it feels good to know that our support will help in the future.
Is a bequest right for you?
We have resources that will help you learn more about bequests. Click here to review sample bequest language. You will see how easy it is to include a bequest in your will or trust.
You might find it helpful to print this page and the bequest language. Please feel free to give this information to your attorney. If he or she has any questions, please contact us.
*Please note: The names and image above are representative of a typical donor and may or may not be an actual donor to our organization.
Contact us
If you have any questions about leaving a bequest to us, please contact us. We would be happy to assist you. If you have been so generous as to include a bequest to Susquehanna University as part of your estate plan, please take the time to let us know. We would like to recognize you and your family for your generosity.