Planned gifts such as bequests, trusts and charitable gift annuities are a wonderful way to leave a legacy at Notre Dame. These charitable gifts allow you to strengthen the future of Notre Dame, and offer the possibility of increased income and/or tax savings now.

Anyone – alumni, parents, faculty, and friends – who includes Notre Dame in their estate plans automatically becomes a member of the Legacy Society for Our Lady~Notre Dame. Although planned gifts support the future of Notre Dame, we encourage you to inform us about these gifts now, so we can take the opportunity to thank you for your generosity.

Listed below are the many options available for making a planned gift.

CHARITABLE BEQUESTS
• This is a gift made in your will that designates Notre Dame as the beneficiary of a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate.
• Since these gifts are for future use, your bequest benefits Notre Dame most if it is designated for the high school’s general use.
• If you wish to designate your gift for a specific purpose, such as a scholarship fund in memory of a loved one, you may do so. Click here for additional information on establishing named scholarships.
How does it work?
• You include a charitable bequest in your will. Click Here for sample language.
• Your will directs assets to your loved ones as well as a bequest to Notre Dame, respectful of your specifications

CHARITABLE ANNUITY TRUST
• This can be set up with gifts of cash, stocks, bonds, mutual fund shares or real estate.
• The benefits to you include receiving a steady income and certain tax incentives.
How does it work?
• You place a gift in a trust with guidelines that you specify.
• The trust pays you a fixed amount for a specific number of years or for life, or for the life of a loved one.
• The assets pass to Notre Dame when the trust ends.

CHARITABLE REMAINDER UNITRUST
• This is a flexible plan allowing you to receive immediate income tax deduction.
• As your circumstances change, so may your gift.
How does it work?
• You put cash or other securities into a trust. 
• The trust pays you or your beneficiaries a percentage based on the value of the assets, whether they increase or decrease annually. 
• The assets pass to Notre Dame when the trust ends.

CHARITABLE LEAD TRUST
• This is the opposite of the Charitable Remainder Trust.
• The benefits include transferring assets to your heirs and maximizing tax savings.
How does it work?
• You place a gift in a “lead” trust.
• The trust makes payments to Notre Dame for a specific period of time.
• When the trust ends, remaining assets go to you or your loved ones.

RETIREMENT PLAN (law expired 12/31/11)
• You name Notre Dame as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401k, etc.
• Anything that remains in your plan upon your passing is transferred to Notre Dame.
• Under the new Pension Protection Act, if you are 70 ½ or older, you may direct lifetime distributions from your IRA to Notre Dame without tax liability.
Learn more about the Pension Protection Act visit the following link:
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pensionreform.html 

We advise you to discuss any major financial decisions and planned gifts with your attorney and/or financial advisor.
For more information about planned giving at Notre Dame, please contact: The Notre Dame Advancement Office at 203-933-1673 x223 or kwielk@notredamehs.com.