Your gift to UMass Amherst will not only benefit the campus, it can provide income and security for you and your family. A planned gift can be structured as an income-producing annuity or trust, as a means of reducing income- and estate-tax exposure, or both. Our planned-giving professionals will work closely and confidentially with you and your financial advisers to structure a gift instrument that accomplishes your personal goals and expresses your particular vision for UMass Amherst.

For complete details on Planned Giving at UMass Amherst, see the
UMass Amherst Planned Giving Guide (PDF)
Plans of Giving Comparison Chart (PDF); and
Planned Giving Calculator.

How can I make a bequest to UMass Amherst?

By making a bequest, you can leave a permanent legacy to the campus. You may specify a certain dollar amount, a specific property, a stated percentage of your estate, or the residue or remainder of your estate. You may also designate a particular purpose or use for your bequest.

Making a bequest is simple and straightforward. For complete details on making a bequest to UMass Amherst, see the UMass Amherst Planned Giving Guide.

How can I increase my current or retirement income while helping the University?

There are two effective methods of increasing your current or retirement income and at the same time helping UMass Amherst. A charitable gift annuity is a simple contract between you and UMass Amherst. A charitable remainder trust is another, more flexible means of generating income.

The charitable gift annuity contract states that in exchange for your gift, the University of Massachusetts Foundation will pay you a guaranteed lifetime income. The amount of income you receive will be a fixed percentage (based on your date of birth) of the amount of your gift. This payout will remain the same throughout your life, will not vary according to the actions of the stock market, and will create a wonderful gift to your school. The annuity can provide income during your lifetime or, if you wish, also for the lifetime of your spouse or other beneficiary. It can begin making payouts immediately or be deferred to some future time. Charitable gift annuities can be funded for a minimum amount of $10,000 with cash, securities, and some forms of property.

Here are some examples of the current rates for a single lifetime:

Note: Use the Planned Giving Calculator to see all rates for various gifts. Rates here and in the Calculator only apply to gifts up to $100,000. We would be pleased to discuss amounts above $100,000 with you.

The charitable remainder trust is a more flexible means of generating income for one, two, or more people. It can be funded by wider array of assets than the charitable gift annuity and can provide for a larger number of income beneficiaries. You can also contribute to some types of trusts after they are established, resulting in higher earnings and additional tax deductions. While the trust generates additional income, it also provides an immediate income tax deduction, eliminates capital gains tax on highly appreciated securities, and reduces estate tax exposure. The trust can be structured to begin making payments immediately or may be deferred to a particular date or the occurrence of a specific event, such as your retirement, the sale of certain assets, or the death of the key donor. Trusts may be funded for a minimum amount of $50,000 with highly-appreciated securities, cash, retirement fund disbursements, or real estate. The two types of remainder trusts most often chosen by UMass Amherst donors are the charitable remainder unitrust and the charitable remainder annuity trust.

For complete details on the charitable gift annuity and charitable remainder trusts, see the Planned Giving Guide.

Can I use some of my assets to make a gift to UMass Amherst?

Assets as diverse as stocks and securities, real estate, valuable collections, and insurance policies can benefit UMass Amherst, either as outright gifts, bequests or to fund an annuity or trust.

Stocks and securities. Stocks and securities can be given to UMass Amherst through a bequest or can be used to create a gift annuity or unitrust or a lead trust. Securities can also be donated outright.

Real Estate. Developed property, either residential or commercial, and undeveloped property may qualify as appropriate assets to fund annuities, unitrusts, and lead trusts.

Collections. Under certain conditions, personal collections of art, books, or other items may be given to UMass Amherst to fund annuities or unitrusts.

Life Insurance. Policies that you no longer need or wish to create to benefit UMass Amherst are very convenient gifts.

For complete details on the making gifts of assets, see the Planned Giving Guide.

Can my gift to UMass Amherst provide for my spouse or children after my death?

The charitable gift annuity generates income for your spouse, your children, or both. In exchange for your gift, the university will pay your heirs a guaranteed lifetime income. The amount of income they receive will be a fixed amount, based on their dates of birth and the amount of your gift. This payout will remain the same throughout their lives, will not vary according to the actions of the stock market, and will ultimately create a wonderful gift to UMass Amherst.

Use the Planned Giving Calculator to find appropriate payout rates.

The charitable remainder trust generates tax advantaged income, if created during your lifetime, and also provides an immediate income tax deduction, eliminates capital gains tax on highly appreciated securities, and reduces estate tax exposure. It is also the most flexible vehicle for providing income for a spouse, children, grandchildren, or others. The trust can be structured to begin making payments immediately or may be deferred to a later date. The longer the period the trust is deferred, the higher the eventual payout will be. Trusts may be funded with highly appreciated securities, cash, retirement fund disbursements, or real estate. You may make additional contributions to some types of established trusts, resulting in higher earnings and additional tax deductions.

For complete details on the charitable annuity and charitable remainder trusts, see the Planned Giving Guide.

How can I give my house or vacation home to UMass Amherst and still retain use of it for my lifetime?

The gift of retained life estate allows you to donate your primary residence, vacation home, or farm to the campus and still use it normally as long as you live.

For complete details on the the gift of retained life, see the Planned Giving Guide.

How can I pass on my family owned business to my children without huge taxes?

The charitable lead trust allows you to pass a closely-held business or other significant asset to your children or other heirs. In this trust, the asset is given to UMass Amherst for a period of ten or more years, during which time it pays income to the university.

For complete details on the charitable lead trust, see the Planned Giving Guide.

More information

We will be delighted to speak with you in person, to answer any questions you may have, and to help you establish a planned gift to UMass Amherst.

Pamela Acheson, Director of Planned Giving, 413-577-1402
Douglas Adler, Associate Director of Planned Giving, 413-545-2796