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For The Love of Charlotte.

Today & Tomorrow.

For the Love of Charlotte, your legacy begins today. Find the giving approach that works for you and carries your impact into Charlotte's tomorrow.

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Giving Home > How to Give > Bequest

Bequest

A bequest is a meaningful way to support UNC Charlotte through your will or living trust, giving you the flexibility to care for loved ones today while carrying your impact into Charlotte's tomorrow.

A bequest is a simple, flexible way to support UNC Charlotte in the future while preserving your assets during your lifetime and honoring the legacy you want to leave.

Benefits of a bequest

  • Receive a charitable estate tax deduction
  • Reduce the tax burden on your family
  • Create a lasting legacy that strengthens Charlotte's future

A bequest is generally a revocable gift, which means it can be changed or modified at any time. You can choose to designate that a bequest be used for a general or specific purpose so you have the peace of mind knowing that your gift will be used as intended. Bequests are exempt from federal estate taxes. If you have a taxable estate, the estate tax charitable deduction may offset or eliminate estate taxes, resulting in a larger inheritance for your heirs.

Charitable bequest video

How a bequest works

A bequest is one of the simplest and most flexible ways to make a planned gift. With the help of an attorney, you can include language in your will or trust that directs a gift to UNC Charlotte, or you can name UNC Charlotte as a beneficiary of certain assets.

Ways to leave a bequest to UNC Charlotte

  • Include UNC Charlotte in your will or revocable trust
  • Designate UNC Charlotte as a full, partial or contingent beneficiary of your retirement account (IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or pension)
  • Name UNC Charlotte as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy

Types of Bequests

  • Specific Bequest - A gift of a particular asset or a specific dollar amount. For example, you may wish to leave your home or $10,000 to UNC Charlotte.
  • Percentage Bequest - A gift of a set percentage of your overall estate. For example, you may wish to leave 10% of your estate to UNC Charlotte.
  • Residual Bequest - A gift made from the remainder of your estate after other commitments have been fulfilled. For example, you may wish to leave 30% of the residue of your estate to UNC Charlotte.

Review sample bequest language

Contact Us

If you're considering a bequest to UNC Charlotte, we're here to help — contact us to explore your options. If you've already included UNC Charlotte in your plans, please let us know so we can thank you and honor your commitment through the Bonnie E. Cone Society.