Bequests

Bequests

Create Your Legacy at Notre Dame

From scholarships, to academic service programs, to campus buildings, the impact of estate gifts by generous benefactors has been central to furthering Notre Dame's mission.

An estate gift of any size is quite often the most straightforward way for members of the Notre Dame family to realize their charitable goals at Notre Dame and provides an avenue for alumni, parents, and friends to impact Notre Dame beyond what would be possible during their lifetimes.

Enjoy Attractive Benefits

• Direct a gift of any amount while retaining control of your assets during your lifetime.
• Retain the flexibility to modify your intended gift at any point in time.
• Create an outright gift from your estate entirely free from federal estate taxes, permitting Notre Dame to utilize the full amount of your gift.
• Enjoy the satisfaction of creating a legacy and having a lasting impact by advancing Notre Dame's mission.
• By transferring your retirement assets to Notre Dame directly upon your death, your estate may claim a charitable estate tax deduction. Neither your estate nor your heirs will have to report any taxable income from the distribution. Notre Dame will keep 100% of the IRA assets and apply them to a charitable purpose you choose.

Making an Estate Gift is Simple

Estate gifts can be made to Notre Dame through your Will or Living Trust. Examples of these estate gift structures include a specific dollar amount, securities, real estate, or a percentage or residue of your estate. Another means of making an estate gift is by designating Notre Dame as a beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy.

Example Language for Bequests to Notre Dame

The following are examples of bequest language you can provide to your attorney. Each benefactor’s situation is unique and these examples include some but not all the possible bequest structures.

Percentage of estate for unrestricted purposes

I give, devise, and bequeath to the University of Notre Dame, a not-for-profit organization located in Notre Dame, Indiana (“Notre Dame”), ______percent (______%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate as an unrestricted gift to be used for the general purposes of Notre Dame.

Percentage of estate for specific purposes with an endowment provision

I give, devise, and bequeath to the University of Notre Dame, a not-for-profit organization located in Notre Dame, Indiana (“Notre Dame”), ______ percent (______%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to be used as I have directed, from time to time, in a separate written fund agreement by and between me and Notre Dame; provided, however, if no such fund agreement exists at the time of my death, then for its general purposes.

Specific amount for unrestricted purposes

I give, devise, and bequeath to the University of Notre Dame, a not-for-profit organization located in Notre Dame, Indiana (“Notre Dame”), the sum of $______in cash or in-kind as an unrestricted gift to be used for the general purposes of Notre Dame.

Specific amount for specific purposes

I give, devise, and bequeath to the University of Notre Dame, a not-for-profit organization located in Notre Dame, Indiana (“Notre Dame”), the sum of $______in cash or in-kind to be used as I have directed, from time to time, in a separate written fund agreement by and between me and Notre Dame; provided, however, if no such fund agreement exists at the time of my death, then for its general purposes.

Is Notre Dame Already In Your Estate Plan?

If you have already made Notre Dame a beneficiary of your estate, thank you. So that we can properly acknowledge and steward your gift, please fill out our Estate Gift Confirmation form.

Ways to Make an Estate Gift

Below please find a list of assets that can be used to make an Estate Gift to Notre Dame.

Gifts of Cash
Gifts of Insurance
Gifts of Real Estate
Gifts of Retirement Assets
Gifts of Securities

How Do I Get Started

• Learn more about making an estate gift to Notre Dame by downloading our brochure.
• Contact us today to speak with one of our Gift Planning Officers.  They are well versed in the tax implications of planned gifts and want to help you maximize the impact of your gift.  
• Contact your plan custodian if you are interested in making Notre Dame a beneficiary on one of your retirement accounts. He or she will provide you with the beneficiary designation forms to make this bequest.