What Is a Bequest?
A bequest is a gift made by provision in your Will. To ensure that your Will is legally valid and effective, we strongly advise that you engage an attorney to prepare it. You may give various kinds of property by bequest, including cash, securities, real estate, or tangible personal property.
We strongly advise that you engage an attorney to assist you. To protect you and your heirs—-as well as the University—-you will want to ensure that your Will is legally valid and effective.
Keep It Simple
The simplest and most common kind of bequest for the benefit of the University of Bridgeport is an unrestricted bequest for general purposes. You may also plan your gift for the needs of a specific program or division of the University. It is important to discuss your gift strategy with your attorney or tax advisor in order to ensure that your philanthropic goals are met.
Benefits of a Bequest
The full value of a bequest to the University may be deducted on your U. S. Federal Income Tax returns without limitation. However, Federal law governing taxes on estates is subject to major changes. This is another reason why UB recommends so strongly that you work with a well-informed professional tax advisor or attorney in planning your gift.
Types of Bequests
The simplest bequest is an unrestricted bequest for general purposes. Because such a gift can be used at the discretion of the Board of Trustees and the administration for UB’s most pressing needs—-which can change over time —-this type of bequest is the most useful to the University. An unrestricted bequests for general purposes can be structured as a specific bequest, a residuary bequest, or a contingent bequest.
Specific Bequest
A specific bequest is a gift of a stated amount of cash or a particular piece of property:
I give and bequeath the sum of $___ to the University of Bridgeport for its general purposes.
I give and devise to the University of Bridgeport all right, title, and interest owned by me at the time of my death in the land and buildings situated at _____.
Residuary Bequest
A residuary bequest is a gift of all or part of the property remaining in your estate after the payment of debts, taxes, administrative fees, and specific bequests to other beneficiaries have been distributed.
I give, devise, and bequeath to the University of Bridgeport all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate.
Contingent Bequest
A contingent bequest is a gift which goes into effect only if the primary beneficiary (or beneficiaries) of the bequest should predecease you.
If neither my husband nor any descendants of mine survives me, then I give, devise, and bequeath all the rest, remainder, and residue of my estate to the University of Bridgeport.
Restricted Bequest
If you wish to make a bequest for a specific program or if you wish to restrict your gift for use by a particular school or division of the University of Bridgeport, we urge you to add the following language to any restriction:
If at any time in the judgment of the Board of Trustees of the University of Bridgeport it is no longer practicable to use the income or principal of this bequest for the purpose stated herein, I authorize them to use the income or principal for any purpose they deem to be consistent with such purpose.
Help In Making Your Bequest
The staff in the Office of University Relations is available to discuss UB’s programs and needs with you and help you plan your gift. Strict standards of confidentiality are observed. Please call 203-576-4696 or e-mail mjfoster@bridgeport.edu. You may also write to:
Mary-Jane Foster
University of Bridgeport
Division of University Relations, Cortright Hall
219 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604