“When did Northwestern start admitting 12-year-olds? We were never that young!" Those are common refrains of classmates returning to campus for visits and reunions. Like those alumni, you’re probably deep into building a career or business, trying to stay healthy and fit, and otherwise leading a life that is busy beyond imagination. You might support a variety of worthwhile causes, including Northwestern, and while you likely have a will, you are more concerned with estate building than estate planning. Would you consider expanding your support for the University if there were a creative way to do it that fits with your current stage of life? Here are some interesting giving opportunities that may have special appeal, perhaps as part of a reunion gift:

Gifts from Your Estate. It’s a simple matter to provide for the University through your will, revocable living trust, IRA or qualified retirement plan.

Supplemental Retirement Savings. Deferred payment gift annuities can provide you with significant income tax charitable deductions during your high earning years. Annuity payments will be postponed until retirement, when you need additional income.

Life Insurance. You can name Northwestern to receive a portion of a life insurance policy, or make the University the contingent beneficiary, should your primary beneficiary die before you.

Assist Mom or Dad. A thoughtful way to provide for an aged parent is to arrange a charitable gift annuity that makes quarterly payments to one or two persons for life, and a substantial charitable deduction for you, the donor. Northwestern benefits when the annuity payments end.

Reunion Giving

Reunions are a time for celebration at Northwestern. They provide an opportunity to remember the Northwestern experience, reconnect with the Northwestern community and reunite with old friends. As part of reunion celebrations, classes raise significant funds that support scholarships, the University's libraries, galleries, concert halls, sports venues, and the priorities of each of the schools.

Your Reunion Class gift can be fashioned in many ways, and can involve two or more gift methods in combination:

Outright Contributions. Many people make immediate gifts to benefit Northwestern simply by writing checks. There are special tax incentives, however, that enable alumni to magnify their support by contributing investment assets that have gone up in value, such as stocks or real estate. To learn more about these options, click here.

Gifts from Estate Plans. Estate gifts are extremely flexible and can be adapted to your changing circumstances and desire to assist Northwestern. They can be arranged, of course, through wills and revocable living trusts, but through other vehicles as well. To learn more about these options, click here.

Gifts with Retained Benefit. Important gifts can be structured to provide lifetime benefits to individuals (usually in the form of lifetime income) and later assistance to Northwestern. Donors receive sizable income tax charitable deductions and other tax rewards. To learn more about these options, click here.

Combination Gifts. Alumni often find it satisfying to make a Reunion Gift with cash, marketable securities or other assets, and at the same time make a provision for the University in their estate plans. Others may augment an immediate gift with a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust that can be established now or through their estate plans. These “blended” gifts are appealing because of the tremendous impact they can have on Northwestern both today and in the future.

Special Recognition. Alumni who inform us of estate gifts – including bequests they have arranged in years past – qualify for membership in The Henry and Emma Rogers Society. New or newly disclosed estate gifts count as part of your Reunion Class gift.

Our Office of Gift Planning would be pleased to answer any questions about reunion giving and to assist you in planning any gift.
Feel free to contact Ed Featherstone at (847) 467-5402 or
e-featherstone@northwestern.edu. We look forward
to hearing from you!