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Bequest

A charitable bequest is one of the easiest ways you can create a lasting legacy at Chapman University.

A bequest may be made in your will or living trust directing a gift to Chapman University, or through a beneficiary designation.

Flowchart: Donor leaves property through will or trust to family and Chapman University.

Benefits of Your Bequest

  • Create a lasting legacy.
  • May receive estate tax savings.
  • Share your philanthropic priorities with your loved ones.

How Do You Make a Bequest?

A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make. With the help of an advisor, you can include language in your will or living trust specifying a gift be made to family, friends or Chapman University as part of your estate plan.

Review sample bequest language.

Your Bequest Options

A bequest may be made in several ways:

  • Gift of a percentage of your estate.
  • Gift of a specific dollar amount or asset.
  • Gift from the balance or residue of your estate.

Making a Bequest of Your Retirement Assets

A retirement asset, such as an individual retirement account (IRA), makes an excellent bequest to us. If the IRA were given to your family, much of the value may be lost through estate and income taxes. By designating Chapman University as the beneficiary of all or part of your IRA (using a beneficiary designation form provided by your custodian), the full value of the gift is transferred tax-free at your death and your estate receives an estate tax charitable deduction. An added bonus is that this gift does not require an attorney.

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