Planned Giving

The Seraphim Society at St. Bonaventure honors and recognizes our alumni and friends who support the University through deferred or “planned” gifts, such as wills, trusts or other methods.  The foresight of our Seraphim Society members helps ensure a bright future for our University and the students we serve.

While many of our alumni and friends choose to make outright gifts of cash, stock or real estate to support St. Bonaventure, it is sometimes more advantageous, both to the individual and the University, to consider a planned gift.  For example, many planned giving opportunities can offer immediate personal tax benefits in addition to income for life. 

Some of the many forms a planned gift may include are: 
• A specified amount or percentage of an estate
• A trust in support of the University
• A gift that offers income for the life of the donor
• A gift of commercial or residential real estate.

The importance of planned gifts to the University, and to our present and future students who will benefit greatly, cannot be overstated; nor can the need for professional counsel when considering how to design your gift.  The office of planned giving and/or your financial adviser can offer you more information about the best plan for you.

The name “Seraphim Society” was chosen for this special association of benefactors because of its great significance to our University.  Among the nine orders of angels, the seraphim are those closest to the divine throne.  St. Bonaventure is known as the Seraphic Doctor and St. Francis is the Seraphic Saint.  A six-winged seraph from the imagery of the Prophet Ezekiel is at the center of St. Bonaventure University’s official seal.

Through their well-considered philanthropy, Seraphim Society members impart a special legacy to St. Bonaventure University – a legacy which will allow our University to continue providing future generations of students with an outstanding education grounded in the Franciscan tradition.

Click here for a Statement of Bequest Provision form.

SAMPLE WORDING FOR ESTATE GIFTS

For a general gift
“I give, devise and bequeath to St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, New York 14778, for its general purposes all (or state fraction or percentage) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal.”

 “I give, devise and bequeath to St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, New York 14778, the sum of $__________ to be used for the general purposes of the University.”

OR

For a Gift Benefiting a Specific Scholarship, School, Institute, Program or Area of the University. “I give, devise and bequeath to St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, New York 14778, $_______ (or state a fraction or percentage of the estate), or the minimum amount required at the time of my death, to be used for ___________ (a specific area such as to endow a new scholarship, add to an existing scholarship, athletics, the Quick Center for the Arts, the Franciscan Institute, School of Education, etc.) unless such a scholarship, program or area no longer exists, in which case St. Bonaventure’s Board of Trustees can direct the funds wherever it is most needed.”

Please contact the Planned Giving Office for additional information at the address below or by calling 800-664-1273.