Beneficiary Designations

Make a Gift in a Few Easy Steps

Not everyone wants to commit to making a gift in their will or estate plan. Some prefer the increased flexibility that beneficiary designation provides.

You can create a gift to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation by designating us the beneficiary of any of the following assets:

IRAs and retirement plans
Life insurance policies
Donor advised funds
Commercial annuities

It is very simple to name the UMass Amherst Foundation as a beneficiary. Start by requesting a change-of-beneficiary form from your policy administrator or download the form from your provider's website. Make your desired changes and return the form to establish your gift.

See How It Works

An Example from UMass Amherst

John and Pat Baillieul John, a mathematics major, and Pat, an English major, both went on to enjoy successful careers in engineering and financial management, respectively, after earning their undergraduate degrees from UMass Amherst. When their son, John Paul, attended UMass Amherst, the Baillieuls reconnected with their alma mater and were inspired to make us a part of their legacy by naming UMass Amherst as a beneficiary of their IRA accounts.

Read their full story.

Fund Your Donation With:

Next Steps

Contact the administrator of your retirement plan, insurance policy or bank account for a change-of-beneficiary form, or simply download a form from your provider's website.
Decide what percentage (1 to 100) you would like the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation to receive and name us, along with the percentage you chose, on the beneficiary form. Return the completed form.
Contact Joseph K. Jayne ’21MPP at 413-577-1418 or giftplanning@uma-foundation.org to let us know your goals for the gift so we can ensure it is used as you intend.

Legal name: University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation
Address: 134 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA 01003-9313
Federal tax ID number: Please contact us.

Learn More

Download our FREE guide Beneficiary Designations: Easy Ways to Leave Your Legacy.

Free Estate Planning Tool