Planned Giving
Welcome to the Office of Planned Giving at Notre Dame de Namur University. We are excited to explore with you charitable estate planning. Those who wish to support NDNU in their estate planning are automatically a member of the Cunningham Heritage Society.
Cunningham Heritage Society
Members of the Cunningham Heritage Society have designated NDNU a beneficiary as part of their estate plans. Every university depends on alumni and friends to help support the mission of the institution. The mission of NDNU, to uphold the Catholic tradition, to educate students to work for peace and justice, and to encourage them to develop their potential in order to make a difference in the world, is more important now than ever. Whether it is through a bequest, an insurance policy, or designating some material asset such as property as an eventual asset for the university, members of the Cunningham Heritage Society are invested in the future of NDNU, with a legacy of support for all those who are dedicated to carrying on the mission of the University. In addition to strengthening the University's financial future, you will be invited to special events on campus and we will update you on university news and activities.
View members of the Cunningham Heritage Society
Planned Giving Opportunities:
A current will/estate plan lets donors provide for their family after their death, distribute their assets according to their wishes, save on estate taxes with proper planning and leave a legacy without giving up assets. It is one of the easiest forms of giving.
With good counsel, benefactors can set up a living trust which as built-in flexibility that can work well with their estate plans. It allows them to stay in control of their assets while receiving the income from the trust. A professional trustee may do the detail work for the benefactor while the donor is assured that anyone whom they designate will receive the trust remainder. The trust assets bypass probate, so the terms are private. Assets are removed from the probate estate, so estate expenses may be less.
Some donors prefer to designate the University as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy. Often the donor no longer needs all of the coverage of an insurance policy that was obtained years ago; so they name the University as the contingent beneficiary. The benefits of contributing a portion of the life insurance policy to Notre Dame de Namur University include the charitable deduction at the time of the donation, flexibility through naming NDNU beneficiary but keeping ownership, security for the donor's family by naming the University a contingent beneficiary, and reduction in estate taxes because donated proceeds are removed from the estate.
Donors who bought securities years ago and find that they have appreciated can give them as a donation to Notre Dame de Namur University. As a result, they avoid the capital gains tax, receive an income tax deduction for the charitable contribution determined by the current value of the stocks, and eliminate the second tax on accumulated earnings by averting a dividend distribution. This is a popular option that benefits the donor and the recipient.
Designating a primary or secondary home, land, or other valuable property to be given to the University upon the death of the donor allows the donors to receive a charitable deduction on their income tax for the full value of the property the year it is given. It also allows the owners to remain in a residence for the length of their lifetime, if they will the University their primary home, and at the same time receive tax benefits. The donors receive an immediate tax break the year that the property is given.
We are ready to help you answer questions of any kind regarding bequests or other deferred gifts.
For more information regarding Planned Giving, please contact:
Sr. Roseanne Murphy, Ph.D.
Executive Director of Planned Giving
rmurphy@ndnu.edu
(650) 508-3551