Planned Giving Resources
Donor Recognition
Laureate Circle Brochure
The Rockefeller University’s Laureate Circle recognizes those visionary donors who have included the University in their estate plans. Whether their gift is made via bequest, trust, or other philanthropic arrangement, these generous individuals help advance biomedical research at Rockefeller. Creating a planned gift enrolls individuals in the University’s Laureate Circle.
Gifts of Personal Assets
Gifts Through Wills or Estate Plans
The Rockefeller University welcomes gifts through your will or estate plan. Testamentary gifts are an important source of support for the University’s research programs. Furthermore, these gifts often allow you to retain complete control over your assets, leaving them unencumbered during your lifetime.
Gift Plans with Tax Advantages and Income Opportunities
Charitable Remainder Trusts
A charitable remainder trust is a life-income gift whereby you irrevocably transfer securities, cash, or other assets to a trustee. The trustee can be The Rockefeller University, the donor, or a bank or other financial institution. Charitable remainder trusts provide income for life for the beneficiary—often a higher income than the gifted asset is currently generating.
Charitable Lead Trusts
A charitable lead trust is a way to transfer assets to family members at a reduced tax cost while creating a funding stream to support scientific research at The Rockefeller University. Charitable lead trusts are appropriate gift vehicles for donors who wish to pass large assets to children or grandchildren while possibly minimizing federal estate and gift taxes.
IRA Charitable Gifts
As of December 2015, Congress permanently restored the provision that permits individuals to contribute Individual Retirement Account (IRA) distributions to charitable organizations (subject to certain guidelines). This rollover provision allows a person age 70½ or older to make a tax free distribution from an IRA of up to $100,000 per taxable year to qualified charitable institutions like The Rockefeller University.