A gift made via a will or revocable trust is known as a bequest. About 85-90% of all charitable estate gifts are made by bequest. Many people employ this method of charitable giving in their estate plans because it is revocable, simple, and flexible. You can choose to name USM to receive a specific amount of money or a specific asset, such as stocks or real estate. Or, you can choose to name USM to receive a percentage of the residue, or remainder, of your estate after all debts, taxes, and other specific bequests are paid. This ensures that your heirs and the charitable organizations you support will all benefit in proper proportions, whether your estate increases or decreases during your later years.

Another simple way to make a charitable planned gift to USM is to designate the school as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, brokerage, or bank account, or a life insurance policy.

If you have a traditional individual retirement account (IRA) and are at least 70-1/2 years of age, you can give up to $108,000 in total during 2025 to 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organizations, like USM. This is known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). A QCD counts toward your required minimum distribution (RMD), thereby reducing your income tax liability. QCDs must be sent directly from your IRA to the charity, and you may not receive any goods or services in exchange for your gift. 

Please note: The law enabling QCDs only applies to traditional IRAs and not other types of retirement accounts (401k, 403b, etc.). If using a charitable rollover is appealing to you, you have the option to roll over funds from your other retirement accounts to an IRA and then make a qualified charitable distribution. Please contact your financial advisor for additional information.