mute videopause video
close video
Message Sent
Thank you for your inquiry. We will respond to you as soon as possible.

Confirm Message Sent
e-newsletter
Thank you for your interest in our e-newsletter. Our records indicate that you are already receiving our e-newsletter. If you have any further questions please contact us.

Email in Records
e-newsletter Preferences
Your e-newsletter settings have been saved.

Preferences Saved
  • Giving Home
  • How to Give
  • What to Give
  • Learn About Wills
    • Overview
    • Bequest Language
    • Write your Will
    • Estate Planning Guide
  • Donor Stories
  • Calculators
  • Giving News
  • Contact Us
logo
Gift Planning
  • About Us
  • Giving News
  • Write your Will
  • Contact Us
  • Back to Main Website
  • Giving Home
  • How to Give
  • What to Give
  • Learn About Wills
    • Overview
    • Bequest Language
    • Write your Will
    • Estate Planning Guide
  • Donor Stories
  • Calculators
  • Gift Planning Menu
logo

Leave a Lasting Legacy

With Gift Planning

Reach your personal, financial and philanthropic goals all while helping Elon thrive for many years to come.

Learn More

You are at: Planned Giving > Gift Options > How to Give > Bequest

Planned Giving
  • Free Enewsletter
  • Free Estate Planning Guide
  • Legacy Society
  • Bequest Language
  • Write Your Will
  • Schedule a Meeting
Text Resize

You are at: Planned Giving > Gift Options > How to Give > Bequest

Print This
Email This
Calculate Plan
eBrochure
Contact Us
View Video
Mobile video button

Charitable Bequest

A charitable bequest is one of the easiest and most flexible ways that you can leave a gift to Elon University that will make a lasting impact.

Charitable Bequest
Property
Donor's Family
Elon
Charity image

Benefits of a bequest

  • Receive an estate tax charitable deduction
  • Reduce the burden of taxes on your family
  • Leave a lasting legacy to charity

How a bequest works

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

Here are some of the ways to leave a bequest to Elon University

  • Include a bequest to Elon University in your will or revocable trust
  • Designate Elon University as a full, partial or contingent beneficiary of your retirement account (IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or pension)
  • Name Elon University as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy

A bequest may be made in several ways

  • Percentage bequest - make a gift of a percentage of your estate
  • Specific bequest - make a gift of a specific dollar amount or a specific asset
  • Residual bequest - make a gift from the balance or residue of your estate
Click here to review sample bequest language.

Contact us

If you have any questions about leaving a bequest to us, please contact us. We would be happy to assist you. If you have been so generous as to include a bequest to Elon University as part of your estate plan, please take the time to let us know. We would like to recognize you and your family for your generosity.

Plus or minus icon

Click here to learn more

The method used to make a bequest will depend on the kind of gift you choose to leave to Elon University.

Bequests of real estate, personal property, business interests and cash are typically made by way of a will, revocable trust or even a simple codicil to your current estate plan. Your estate-planning attorney can assist you in preparing the necessary papers for you to complete the bequest.

Other bequests, such as those involving retirement assets, insurance policies, bank accounts and stocks and bonds, are typically made by completing the appropriate beneficiary designation form. Simply contact your retirement plan administrator, life insurance company, bank or investment broker and ask them to send you the appropriate "beneficiary designation" or "payable on death" form. To complete your bequest, you will need to complete and sign the form and then send it back to the person who originally sent the form to you.

The last step in leaving any bequest involves the transfer to charity. When you pass away, the bequest property will be transferred to Elon University. The full value of this gift will be transferred tax-free and your estate will receive an estate tax charitable deduction.

Print This
Email This
Calculate Plan
eBrochure
Contact Us
View Video
mute videopause video
close video
scriptsknown

Let Us Help You

With Your Gift Plans

Learn more ways you can support our organization, or let us know if you plan to give or have given to us in the past.

  • Request More Information
  • Tell Us about Your Gift
Professional advisor resources

© 2025 Copyright Crescendo Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
PRIVACY STATEMENT

This site is informational and educational in nature. It is not offering professional tax, legal, or accounting advice. For specific advice about the effect of any planning concept on your tax or financial situation or with your estate, please consult a qualified professional advisor.