How to Give
Learn about gift options that provide tax and income benefits. Discover the best gift plan to meet your goals.
Gifts made from your estate by will, trust or beneficiary designation
Bequest
You designate Western Michigan University as the beneficiary of your asset by will, trust or beneficiary designation form.
Beneficiary Designation Gift
You designate Western Michigan University as a beneficiary of your retirement, investment or bank account or life insurance policy.
Gifts that support our cause and save you taxes
Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
An Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows individuals age 70½ or older to reduce their taxable income by making a gift directly from their IRA.
Donor Advised Fund (DAF)
You can make gifts during your lifetime. When you pass away, your children can carry on your legacy of giving.
Blended Gift
There are many lifetime and estate gift options that can make your giving go farther than a simple gift of cash or property.
Endowment Gift
An endowment is a fund you can create now or in the future to achieve the impact you desire.
Life Estate Reserved
You give your property to Western Michigan University but retain the right to use the property during your lifetime. We receive the property when you pass away.
Charitable Lead Trust
You fund a trust that makes gifts to Western Michigan University for a number of years. Your family receives the trust remainder at substantial tax savings.
Gifts that provide you and your loved ones with income and tax benefits
Charitable Gift Annuity
You transfer your cash or stock to Western Michigan University in exchange for our promise to pay you fixed payments (with rates based on your age) for the rest of your life.
IRA to Gift Annuity Rollover
If you are 70½ or older, you can make a one-time IRA rollover to fund a charitable gift annuity and receive fixed payments for life.
Charitable Remainder Unitrust
You fund a charitable remainder unitrust with cash or appreciated property. The trust sells your property tax-free and provides you with income for life or a term of years.
Give It Twice Trust
You provide your children with a stream of income while making a gift to Western Michigan University.
Deferred Gift Annuity
You may be looking for a way to support our cause today while creating a future payment stream for retirement or future income.
