Liquid Assets

• Cash—The simplest way to support Willamette University is by writing a check. Your gift may designate support for a specific program or it may be undesignated, which allows the University to direct it to an area of great need.
  
  
• Securities—Giving appreciated stocks, bonds and mutual funds provides even greater tax benefits than giving cash. The easiest way to transfer securities is to have your broker call Steve Brier, director of gift planning, at 503-370-6022.

Tangible Property

• Real Estate—Developed and undeveloped property, farms and ranches, and personal residences may be donated to Willamette. These gifts offer a number of tax advantages for the donor.
  
  
• Special Gifts—Artwork, rare books, coins, stamps, equipment and antique furniture can be appropriate gifts to Willamette. If you would like to discuss a gift of tangible property, please contact Ron Korvas, vice president for university relations, at 503-370-6397.

Planned Gifts
If you are considering a planned gift to Willamette University, please visit the Gift Planning website or contact Steve Brier, director of gift planning, at 503- 370-6022. Additionally, we recommend that you consult your personal lawyer and financial advisor about your intentions.

• Gifts by Will or Living Trust—A bequest is the most traditional choice of donors who wish to make a significant contribution to the University. With this option, you retain full use of your assets during your life and reduce your taxable estate after death. A General Bequest means the University will receive a specific amount of money from your estate. A Percentage Bequest allows you to allocate a specific percentage of your estate to Willamette. A Specific Bequest means one particular asset or piece of property will be transferred to Willamette. A Residuary Bequest provides that the University will receive either the balance of your estate or a designated percentage of the balance after all costs and other bequests are satisfied. A Contingent Bequest, which is most often used by a husband and wife, stipulates that if the spouse has not survived the donor, the portion of the estate specified for the spouse will pass to the University.
  
  
• Life Income Gifts—Life income gifts are popular and excellent vehicles for retirement planning. They offer significant financial and tax benefits, including secure income, immediate tax deductions, and elimination of capital gain tax on appreciated assets.
  
  
• Charitable Annuities—The charitable gift annuity, which offers fixed income payments for life, is the simplest of life income gifts and is a contract between you and the University. With a deferred charitable gift annuity, the fixed income payments do not start until a future date set by you. A charitable remainder annuity trust, which requires a formal trust arrangement, provides fixed income for life or for a specified term of up to 20 years.
  
  
• Charitable Remainder Unitrust—A unitrust provides income payments for life or for a specified term of up to 20 years. Each year’s payments are a fixed percentage of the previous year-end value of trust assets, which allows for growth of income if trust assets increase in value. If trust assets decline in value, income payments will decline.
  Charitable Lead Trust—You would contribute cash or property to the trust, with payments from the trust to Willamette University for life or a specified term of years, typically 10 years or more. When the term ends, trust principal is distributed to your children or other designated heirs, often with little or no estate or gift tax.
  
  
• Gifts of Retirement Assets—You may give Willamette a portion or all of your retirement assets, such as the assets contained in your IRA, 401(k) plan, profit-sharing plan, pension plan or Keogh plan. You should consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of transfers of retirement assets.
  
  
• Life Insurance—Naming Willamette as owner and beneficiary of a paid life insurance policy entitles you to a tax deduction. You also can name Willamette as beneficiary of other types of life insurance policies, which may reduce your estate tax.