University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

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Types of Giving

Making a planned gift to UWM enables you to realize your long-term charitable goals and make a significant impact on the future of the university. A bequest in your will, annuities, trusts, and investment income contributions are some common means of gift planning.

UWM's team of planned giving professionals can discuss a financial plan that meets your own income needs, provides substantial tax benefits, secures your family's future, and maximizes your charitable giving to strengthen UWM - all at the same time. Gift planning options include:

BequestsA bequest is the most common form of deferred giving. It can give you peace of mind to know your final wishes will be honored, loved ones will be provided for and your commitment to the future of UWM is documented. A bequest is made by naming the UWM Foundation in your will. Your bequest should be expressed in the following words:

  • For a specific amount: "I bequeath $____ to the UWM Foundation, to be used by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, for the benefit of____." (Specify area of support)

  • For a percentage of your estate: "I bequeath____% of the residue of my estate to the UWM Foundation, to be used by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, for the benefit of____." (Specify area of support)
Gifts of Retirement AssetsA gift of retirement assets is an excellent way to support UWM and may provide significant advantages to you and your heirs. By naming the UWM Foundation as the primary beneficiary of your retirement assets, you are potentially saving substantial income and reducing estate taxes, for which your heirs would be responsible. You can also realize savings by naming a specific amount to be gifted to the University with the remainder going to your family. You can implement your wishes by simply advising your plan administrator of your decision and signing the required form.

 Charitable Gift AnnuitiesThis gift plan allows you to transfer cash or marketable securities to the UWM Foundation in exchange for a contractually guaranteed schedule of fixed-income payments, usually based on the ages of the beneficiary or beneficiaries. A charitable gift annuity allows you to claim an immediate charitable deduction on a portion of the value transferred, while reducing or deferring capital gains taxes on appreciated property.

Charitable Remainder TrustA charitable remainder trust allows you to transfer assets irrevocably to a trust in exchange for payments to yourself or other beneficiaries that are determined by the types of investments the trust makes. The remainder is then turned over to the UWM Foundation after the death of the last surviving income beneficiary. Tax savings include immediate income tax deduction for the gift and possible capital gains and estate and gift tax savings. There are two basic kinds of remainder trusts:

  • A Charitable Remainder Unitrust provides a variable payout to you and/or your spouse or other beneficiaries for life or a number of years. Donors can add to a unitrust at any time. At the conclusion of the contract, the asset becomes the property of the UWM Foundation. You may designate the use of the remainder based on your personal interest(s) at UWM.
  • A Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust provides a fixed payout to you and/or your spouse or other beneficiaries for life or a number of years. Donors cannot add to an annuity trust. At the conclusion of the contract, the asset becomes the property of the UWM Foundation. You may designate the use of the remainder based on your personal interest(s) at UWM.
Charitable Lead TrustsA charitable lead trust is the reverse of a charitable remainder trust. It allows the donor to place assets in a trust and assign income to the UWM Foundation for a designated period of time. Ownership of the asset is later returned to the donor or passed on to a named beneficiary.

Life InsuranceGifts of life insurance offer a way to benefit the University at a relatively low cost for the donor. In order to deduct premium payments as charitable deductions the donor must name the UWM Foundation as both owner and beneficiary of the policy. A new policy or a fully paid-up policy can be contributed to the UWM Foundation. The donor of the policy may specify the use of the proceeds or leave them unrestricted.

Click to see the Ways of Giving brochure.