Golden Year Reunions
Honor the Past and Help Future Generations
Golden Year reunions are times to give thanks. Thanks to friends and families. Thanks for opportunities and accomplishments. Thanks to those who came before us. Many individuals you never knew made gifts to Clarkson so that you might receive your education. Your giving now to Clarkson validates their wisdom and ensures a Clarkson education for those who will come after you. In this way your giving connects you to Clarkson’s past and its future.
Here are some ways to honor those who came before you and plan for future generations of Clarkson students:
1. The Clarkson Fund – Just as others have done for generations, your special gift to the Clarkson Fund helps students right now. And it’s easy to make a gift online. Your annual gift really does make a difference in the lives of students; have you thought about creating a bequest to “endow” your annual gift?
2. Income for you and/or loved ones - You may create a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust, or join our pooled life income fund to provide income to you and/or loved ones for life before the remainder passes to Clarkson to be used however you wish. Request our workbook Will a Gift-with-income Plan Work for Me? You can use our gift calculator to create your own gift-with-income projection or request a projection from Clarkson.
3. A gift of your home - You may create a retained life estate, generate an income tax deduction, and gift your personal residence, farm or vacation home to Clarkson while retaining the right to live there as long as you wish. Someday the proceeds from the home will be used at Clarkson however you wish.
4. A simple gift - A bequest in your will or living trust may be for a specific amount or asset, a percentage, a remainder or a contingency. Your bequest may memorialize you, a family member or the family name. View sample bequest language.
5. Income for heirs - You can create a gift annuity or charitable trust through your estate plan that will provide income to loved ones before the remainder ultimately goes to Clarkson to be used as you wish.
6. A tax-wise plan – Retirement plan assets are expensive to inherit, since the beneficiary must pay tax on income from the plan. It may be tax-advantageous to further your philanthropic legacy by planning a gift of retirement plan assets to Clarkson and bequeath other assets to heirs.
7. "Insure" your legacy - Naming Clarkson the owner and beneficiary of a life insurance policy can generate an income tax deduction now for the cash value of the policy. It may be a very cost-effective way to plan a gift to Clarkson.
8. A special naming opportunity – You can create an endowed fund with a ift now or through your estate in honor of the family name to support anything from student scholarships to professorships. And you can build your endowment with tax-deductible gifts over time. Another way to build your legacy, and encourage others to give, is to name a room, lab, office or other space on campus.
9. A special gift - Individuals often make a special gift in honor of their anniversary reunion. Your tax-deductible gift may be unrestricted, or you may wish to restrict it to a project of special interest. There are always projects to be completed: athletic facility upgrades, classroom renovations, laboratory equipment replacements. Your gift, even pledged over several years, can make a big difference for students now and into the future.
10. Estate tax planning - In special cases, a charitable lead trust may be used to plan a gift to Clarkson and then pass an asset to heirs estate tax free. Income from the investment of the asset goes to Clarkson for a certain number of years before the asset passes to your heir(s).
For further information on gift-with-income plans request our workbook Will a Gift-with-income Plan Work for Me? You can use our gift calculator to create your own gift-with-income projection or request a projection from Clarkson.
For more ideas on creating a gift plan using non-cash assets request our workbook Gift Planning with Non-cash Assets.
Review Anniversary Reunion Year Gift Counting Guidelines.
Would you like help organizing and defining your philanthropy? Request our Philanthropic Planner.
Is it time to update your will? For help getting organized before meeting with your attorney request our Estate Planning Organizer. And if you would like to document your legal arrangements and final instructions for your survivors request our Personal Affairs Organizer.
Your plan for Clarkson's future may make you a member of the Annie Clarkson Society.
This web page does not provide legal or financial advice, nor is it a comprehensive review of the topic. You should consult your legal and financial advisers and Clarkson University before making or planning your gift.