Making an impact through planned giving

School of Education alumni and friends are making an impact on their own terms — and timeline. Gift planning, commonly referred to as planned giving, is now a preferred way for many to give a personally meaningful gift to the school.

“Estate planning is a great way to support the mission and vision of the school without feeling it in the monthly budget,” said Ed Kardos, SOE’s senior director of development. “Planned giving puts the donors in control so they may make a gift that can also provide financial or tax benefits.”

A bequest is a gift made through a donor’s will or trust by which they leave a lasting legacy. Donors who have chosen this way to give know that they retain control of their assets and can make changes to their plan as their personal need dictates. The estate tax savings, although significant, is rarely the deciding factor in making this kind of gift.

“I found that loyal donors to the school like to leave a ‘legacy’ gift through gift planning. Although we don’t see the impact of their generosity today, we recognize these donors now because we appreciate their commitment to the future of the school,” concluded Kardos.

A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make. With the help of an advisor, donors can include in their will or trust language specifying a gift be made, to family, friends or the VCU School of Education, as part of their estate plan.

There are other ways to make planned gifts and if interested in learning more, please contact Ed Kardos at egkardos@vcu.edu.