Gifts from Your Will

Bequests

Through a provision in your written and executed will or living trust you can make a gift to Wesleyan in the form of cash, securities, real estate or personal property.

Bequests to Wesleyan

Include a bequest to the University in your will. You can make your bequest unrestricted or direct it to a specific purpose. You may even indicate a specific amount or percentage of the balance remaining in your estate.

Benefits

  • Your assets remain in your control during your lifetime.
  • You can modify your gift to address changing circumstances.
  • You can direct your gift to a particular purpose (be sure to check with us to make sure your gift can be used as intended).
Planning Tip: If you express your gift as a percentage (e.g., "20 percent of the residue of my estate"), you can maintain the same relative gifts to charities and your heirs, regardless of changes in estate value. If you're considering designating your gift for a specific purpose, such as a scholarship fund, contact us to ensure that we understand your wishes.

There are many types of bequests. When making a charitable gift to a nonprofit organization, it is vital that the charity's legal name, address and other identifying details be used. Consult with your attorney to choose the one that best fits your needs and intentions.

Residual Bequest Language

A residual bequest comes to us after your estate expenses and specific bequests are paid:

I give and devise to Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, (EIN 06-0646959) all (or state a percentage) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).

Specific Bequest Language

You can also name the University as a beneficiary of a specific amount from your estate:

I give and devise to Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, (EIN 06-0646959) the sum of $ ________________________ (or "____ shares of __________________ stock") to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).

Contingent Bequest Language

Wesleyan can be named as a contingent beneficiary if one or more of your specific bequests cannot be fulfilled:

If (insert individual heir's name) is not living at the time of my demise, I give and devise Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, (EIN 06-0646959) the sum of $ (or "all" or " ___________ percentage of the residue of my estate") to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).

Make Gifts to the University