Bequest Language
Planning for the future and creating the legacy you wish to leave is one of the most effective ways to ensure a lasting impact. Making a gift in your will or living trust, known as a bequest, can guarantee that your legacy endures. Your gift may be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate or the remainder after all other provisions are specified.
Federal tax ID number: Please contact us.
Below is suggested language to use when drafting your bequest.
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Free ResourceSamples of Gift Language (for use in a will or trust document)
For general purposes:
"I give __*[see below]__________ to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation, tax ID# (contact us for federal tax ID number), for its general purposes."
To establish an expendable or endowed fund or contribute to an existing expendable/current use fund:
"I give __*[see below]___________ to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation, tax ID# (contact us for federal tax ID number), for the ___[name of fund]___________fund to be used as set forth in a separate gift agreement with the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation."
To contribute to an existing endowed fund:
"I give __*[see below]___________ to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation, tax ID# (contact us for federal tax ID number), for the __[name of fund]_________________fund at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation."
To give to a specific program or unit:
"I give __*[see below]___________ to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation, tax ID# (contact us for federal tax ID number), for _________[name of program or unit]_____________ at The University of Massachusetts, Amherst."
*A specific asset may be named: You can leave a specific dollar amount or a specific asset (e.g., specific dollar amount, specific stock, real estate, tangible personal property, intellectual property, etc.).
Percentage of residuary estate clause: You can leave a specific percentage of the assets remaining in your estate after all of the debts and expenses of the estate have been paid, and after all specific bequests have been satisfied.
"I give ___ percentage (___ %) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation, tax ID# (contact us for federal tax ID number)."
Entire residuary estate clause: You can leave the entire balance remaining in your estate after all of the debts and expenses of the estate have been paid, and after all specific bequests have been satisfied.
"I give, devise and bequest the rest residue and remainder of my estate to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation, tax ID# (contact us for federal tax ID number)."
Contingency provision clause: You can name UMass Amherst to be a substitute beneficiary in the event that your primary beneficiary has predeceased you.
"In the event that my (spouse, daughter, son, friend – use full name) shall predecease me, I give to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation, tax ID# (contact us for federal tax ID number)."
Note: These are samples of bequest language to meet your gifting intentions. It is important that you seek the assistance and guidance of your estate planning attorney. Most jurisdictions allow for incorporation by reference of a gift agreement if the gift agreement is in place prior to the execution of the will.