Remembering Dartmouth
There are many ways to support Dartmouth students and faculty through your estate plan. You can name Dartmouth in a will, trust, or as a designated beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan, IRA, life insurance policy, charitable trust, or many other assets.
Naming Dartmouth as a Designated Beneficiary
Retirement plan assets as well as most IRA assets can be heavily taxed upon distribution to heirs. Estate and income taxes can consume a large percentage of these tax-deferred accounts as well as investment/brokerage accounts, and even life insurance policy benefits. Naming Dartmouth as a primary beneficiary of these assets ensures the full amount will support the College, free of taxes.
Naming Dartmouth in a Will or Trust
Browse samples of simple language you can add to your will or a trust to name Dartmouth as a beneficiary of your estate planning.
In a will:
I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the Trustees of Dartmouth College _____ dollars ($_____), or _____ percent (_____ %) of my (residuary) estate, to be used for the benefit of Dartmouth College as the Trustees thereof may direct.
In a trust:
The Trustee(s) shall distribute to the Trustees of Dartmouth College _____ dollars ($_____), or _____ percent (_____ %) of (Trust name) assets, to be used for the benefit of Dartmouth College as the Trustees thereof may direct.
In a will:
I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the Trustees of Dartmouth College _____ dollars ($_____), or _____ percent (_____ %) of my (residuary) estate, to be used for the benefit of (Professional School, i.e., Geisel School of Medicine, or Program i.e., Friends of Rowing) at Dartmouth College. If at some time in the future this purpose no longer exists, the Trustees may use the funds for any purpose which, in their opinion, most nearly approximates the Donor’s stated purpose.
In a trust:
The Trustee(s) shall distribute to the Trustees of Dartmouth College _____ dollars ($_____), or _____ percent (_____ %) of (Trust name) assets, to be used for the benefit of (Professional School, i.e., Geisel School of Medicine, or Program i.e., Friends of Rowing) at Dartmouth College. If, at the time of distribution, the purpose above no longer exists, I hereby direct my Trustee(s) to distribute the funds to the Trustees of Dartmouth College for any purpose which, in their opinion, most nearly approximates the original stated purpose.
In a will:
I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the Trustees of Dartmouth College _____ dollars ($_____), or _____ percent (_____%) of my (residuary) estate, to be added to the _______________ Fund (hereafter the “Fund”), subject to the terms in a Statement of Understanding on file with the College. If said Fund no longer exists, the Trustees may use the funds for any purpose which, in their opinion, most nearly approximates the Fund’s intended purpose.
In a trust:
The Trustee(s) shall distribute to the Trustees of Dartmouth College _____ dollars ($_____), or _____ percent (_____ %) of (Trust name) assets, to be added to the _______________ Fund (hereafter the “Fund”), subject to the terms in a Statement of Understanding on file with the College. If, at the time of distribution, the Fund above no longer exists, I hereby direct my Trustee(s) to distribute the funds to the Trustees of Dartmouth College for any purpose which, in their opinion, most nearly approximates the Fund’s intended purpose.
In a will:
I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the Trustees of Dartmouth College _____ dollars ($_____), or _____ percent (_____%) of my (residuary) estate, to constitute a true endowment fund to be known as the _______________ Fund, such fund to be kept invested by the Trustees of Dartmouth College, the annual income there from, as determined by the College’s spending formula, to be used for the benefit of the College in such manner as the Trustees may direct. This Fund, for the purposes of investment, may be combined with other funds of Dartmouth College.
In a trust:
The Trustee(s) shall distribute to the Trustees of Dartmouth College _____ dollars ($_____), or _____ percent (_____ %) of (Trust name) assets, to constitute a true endowment fund to be known as the _______________ Fund, such fund to be kept invested by the Trustees of Dartmouth College, the annual income there from, as determined by the College’s spending formula, to be used for the benefit of the College in such manner as the Trustees may direct. This Fund, for the purposes of investment, may be combined with other funds of Dartmouth College.
Dartmouth encourages donors who are considering a restricted bequest to speak with a member of the Gift Planning staff about appropriate language and minimum funding thresholds.
You should also consult with your legal and tax advisors. Dartmouth’s Gift Planning staff would be happy to speak with your advisors as well.
Bartlett Tower Society
There are multiple ways to join the Bartlett Tower Society, such as remembering Dartmouth in your will or naming the university a beneficiary of your life insurance policy.
Shaping Your Legacy
Dartmouth Gift Planning offers a free guide designed to serve as a starting point to begin thinking about the ways in which you'd like your assets to be distributed among loved ones and charitable organizations. This informative 30-page resource comes as a downloadable file (PDF) that you can edit, save and share as needed.