Frequently Asked Questions

• What is planned giving?

  Planned giving is a form of charitable contribution that benefits the charity and the donor. Donors can impact an organization or entity in which they have an interest, and the charity benefits by being the direct recipient of the gift..

• What are the benefits to the charity?

  While most of the planning tools in a planned giving infrastructure offer “deferred giving” strategies, the benefits of planning giving are still of great use to the charity. Planned gifts:

  • Tend to be of greater market value than direct gifts
  • Are irrevocable and reinforce relationships between the donor and charity
  • May provide disbursement flexibility
  • Can present “comfortable” options to donors in capital campaigns
  • Secure personal or family legacy associated with ab institution
• What are the benefits to the donor?

  Today’s donors are strategic in their personal and philanthropic planning, particularly when the two can be merged for maximum benefit. Planned giving offers numerous options and planning results. These include:

  • Flexibility in potential charitable deductions
  • Opportunities to manage mandatory distributions and potentially avoid taxable income
  • Options for estate planning and wealth transfer
  • Stronger impact on a charitable mission, without inhibiting current income needs or lifestyle
  • Educating future generations on financial and charitable planning
  • Secure personal or family legacy with institution or in response to grand challenges
• Why are planned gifts irrevocable?

  There are tax benefits associated with many planned giving mechanisms. For example, charitable remainder trusts provide for required distributions to the income beneficiary accompanied by an income-tax charitable deduction based on the “deferred charitable gift” established. To accurately calculate the personal and charitable benefits, the gift transaction must—by IRS regulation—be a complete (irrevocable) transaction. Once the donor transfers gifted assets to the trust, the donor no longer owns the contributed assets.

• How flexible are planned gifts?

  Planned giving vehicles must establish a completed gift to charity. To be considered a completed charitable gift, it must be irrevocable. In certain types of planned giving vehicles, the donor may retain the right to change, add, or remove organizations, but the ultimate recipient of the gifted property must be a qualified 501(c)(3). Any personal benefits associated with the planned gift are established or determined at the execution of the governing document. The charity, the donor, and the IRS must be assured that the contractual obligation is honored.

• What planned giving vehicles are available?

  Charitable remainder trust (unitrust & annuity trust)

  Charitable lead trust (Grantor & Nongrantor)

  Pooled income fund

  Private foundation – donor driven

  Donor fund – donor driven

• I am unable to make a current gift, but I'd still like to support Stephens College in the future. Any ideas?

  An easy and low-cost way to make a gift to Stephens College is to include Stephens College in your will or revocable trust. Gifts by Will are a major source of endowment support at Stephens College. Each individual legacy contributes to our financial strength and ability to meet the needs of our students. If you have not already done so, please consider putting Stephens College in your will or revocable trust. See our Bequest Language page for samples of how to do this. You can also designate The Stephens College the beneficiary of Life Insurance, annuities, or Retirement-Plan Benefits.

• What asset should I use to make my gift?

  While cash or a check is a simple way to make a gift, you might want to consider the following:

  Gift Type	Possible Benefits
  Cash	Current income-tax deduction
  Appreciated securities, such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds	Elimination or reduction of capital-gain tax Current income-tax deduction Generate income
  Transfer of residential, commercial, or undeveloped real estate	Elimination or reduction of capital-gain tax Income- and estate-tax savings Generate income Relief from management
  Donate an interest in closely held or family business stock	Reduce the cost of passing the business to heirs Income- and estate-tax savings Generate income
  Give us tangible personal property like art, books, or collectibles	An income-tax charitable deduction
  Make Stephens College the owner and beneficiary of life insurance or annuities	Income- and estate-tax savings

   

• Can I direct how Stephens College will use my gift?

  Most often the answer to this is “yes”!! Many donors direct that their gifts be used to fund programs, support specific departments, or remember a loved one. Please be sure to discuss this when you make your gift.

• How will Stephens recognize my gift?

  Your gift will be listed in publications in the year you make the gift. If your gift is a bequest commitment or through life insurance, life-income plans, or lead trusts, you may be celebrated in our magazine and with a press release. Of course, we will also honor any requests for gifts to be anonymous.

• Why should I consider a gift to Stephens College?

  Gifts are made for many different reasons.

  • To express gratitude for the community experience you enjoyed
  • To honor a loved one or celebrate a special occasion
  • To ensure Stephens College will remain a vibrant learning environment
  • To help provide the very best of a Stephens education that empowers and equips women to pursue lives they choose

• What forms do I need to complete with Stephens College?

  Additional documents are drafted and recorded at Stephens to properly record your intentions with the college. When you have your legal documents and your Stephens documents aligned, you can rest assured that all loose ends are tied up and that your gift will be received and utilized as you intended. Please fill out and submit this form
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For more information contact Stephens College at giving@stephens.edu or (573)876-7235.