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Gift Planning at South Carolina

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  4. Gift in Your Will or Living Trust

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Gift in Your Will or Living Trust

You want to leave money to University of South Carolina or one of its affiliated foundations in your will. You also want the flexibility to change your will in the event that life circumstances change. You can do both.

In as little as one sentence, you can complete your gift. Use this language to include a gift to University of South Carolina or one of its affiliated foundations in your will or living trust: "I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to University of South Carolina or one of its affiliated foundations [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose." This type of donation to South Carolina or one of its affiliated foundations in your will or living trust helps put a Carolina education within our students' reach for years to come.

A Real-Life Example: C.B. and Dona Smith

C.B. and Dona SmithEver since graduating from the South Carolina School of Law in 1970, C.B. Smith has been a strong supporter of the school, the university and its athletics programs.

"I strongly believe that South Carolina is a very important, even vital, part of South Carolina," he says. "The university is a tremendous economic generator, and the law school educates most of the state's lawyers and judges. South Carolina is critical to every phase of the state's economic success."

Not surprising, then, that Smith and his wife, Dona, have finalized two gifts in their will—one to benefit School of Law scholarships and the other to benefit the Athletics Department. Read More

Gift Planning Resources

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Gifts That Pay

Your payments depend on your age at the time of the donation. If you are younger than 60, we recommend that you learn more about your options and download this FREE guide Plan for Retirement With a Deferred Gift Annuity.

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Contact Us

Our expert development officers are here to help you tailor your gift to benefit you and the university. 

the Office of Gift Planning

803-777-1601

giftplan@mailbox.sc.edu 

Contact us for our federal tax ID number.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to University of South Carolina or one of its affiliated foundations 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 University of South Carolina or one of its affiliated foundations, a nonprofit corporation currently located at Columbia, SC 29208, 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 South Carolina or one of its affiliated foundations 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 South Carolina or one of its affiliated foundations 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 South Carolina or one of its affiliated foundations 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 South Carolina or one of its affiliated foundations where you agree to make a gift to South Carolina or one of its affiliated foundations 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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