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Ways to Give

A Gift to Penn State

Penn State campus

Ways to Give

A Gift to Penn State

There are a number of other ways to make a lasting impact at Penn State. Follow the links below to learn more about these gifts.

Wills and Living Trusts

A gift in your will or living trust is one of the easier and most effective ways to give to Penn State. Learn more about wills and living trusts

Beneficiary Designations

It only takes three simple steps to designate Penn State as a beneficiary of your account. Learn how you can add Penn State as a beneficiary today. Learn more about beneficiary designations

Charitable Gift Annuities

A charitable gift annuity is a contract between you and a charity in which the charity, in exchange for a transfer of assets from you, agrees to pay a fixed amount to you for a lifetime. Learn more about charitable gift annuities

Charitable Remainder Trusts

This gift is a mechanism by which you transfer assets into a trust, which provides you with tax advantages while also enabling you to receive an income based on those assets. At the end of the payment term, the remaining assets are transferred to the designated charity or charities. Learn more about charitable remainder trusts

Pooled Income Fund

The Pennsylvania State University Legacy Income Trusts are next-generation charitable planned giving instruments that enable donors to support Penn State’s mission while also providing an income stream for up to ten individual beneficiaries. Learn more about pooled income funds

IRA Charitable Rollover

If you are 70½ years old or older, you can give up to $100,000 from your IRA directly to a qualified charity such as Penn State without having to pay income taxes on the money. Learn more about IRA charitable rollover

Memorial and Tribute Gifts

A gift given in the name of a loved one is a meaningful way to honor or memorialize them while supporting Penn State. Learn more about memorials and tribute gifts

Real Estate

Making a gift of appreciated property can help avoid capital gains tax and provide you with a federal income tax charitable deduction, while benefiting Penn State. Learn more about real estate

Endowed Gifts

Your legacy can last in perpetuity when you make a gift to our endowment. Such gifts are invested and a portion of the investment proceeds are used to support the work of Penn State on an ongoing basis. Endowment gifts can be combined with tribute or naming opportunities to enhance your legacy. Learn more about endowed gifts

Donor Advised Funds

A donor advised fund is a flexible gift option that allows you to recommend how much and how often money is granted to Penn State and other charities. Learn more about donor advised funds

Charitable Lead Trusts

Don't want to lose control of your assets but want Penn State to benefit from them? A charitable lead trust allows you to do just that. Assets are placed in a trust and are used to make payments to Penn State for a certain period of time, after which trust assets are paid back to you or another non-charitable beneficiary. Learn more about charitable lead trusts

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Penn State University a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to Penn State University, a nonprofit corporation currently located at c/o Office of Gift Planning, 329 Innovation Boulevard, Suite 313, State College, PA 16803-6606, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Penn State or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate, or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property, or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Penn State as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Penn State as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Penn State where you agree to make a gift to Penn State and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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