Ways to Give

Endowment

Endowment is Bradley's invested capital that generates funds to be used, in perpetuity, to support the institution. Over the years, thousands of donors have added to the original endowment to provide permanent support for faculty, scholarships, academic programs, the library, and sports teams, to name just a few. Bradley's endowment is its financial foundation, its security.

Capital Investments

Unrestricted

An unrestricted gift is simply a gift to Bradley with no restrictions from the donor on how it is to be used. Find out more about Unrestricted Gifts.

Outright Gifts

Outright gifts range from, company matching gifts, credit cards, cash, electronic funds transfer, appreciated securities, closely held stock, real estate, life insurance and tangible personal property. Find out more about Outright Gifts.

Life-Income Gifts

Special arrangements can enable you to receive income for yourself and another designated person, such as an elderly parent, a child or your spouse. By itemizing deductions, you get a charitable income tax deduction for your gifts, while avoiding or substantially reducing capital gains tax on the sale and reinvestment of highly appreciated, but low-yielding, assets used to fund the life-income gift. Find out more about Life-income Gifts.

Estate Gifts

Bequest

One of the easiest and most common ways for you to make a gift to Bradley University is through a bequest in your will. The tax laws encourage bequests; consequently, a bequest is an excellent way to support the University. Find out more about Estate Gifts.

Gifts of Retirement Assets

If you are like most of Bradley’s alumni and friends, you have worked hard, invested wisely, and accumulated a sizable retirement nest egg over the years. Some of the assets in your estate may be classified as "income in respect of a decedent (IRD)" by the IRS. These assets, if left in one’s estate, are potentially subject to both the federal estate tax and the federal income tax. Find out more about Estate Gifts.

Gifts of Securities

Advantages of Giving Appreciated Stock and Mutual Funds Include:

• Avoidance of capital gains tax.  Any gain in the stock/mutual fund is taxable if you sell it yourself, but not if you give it to Bradley.
• A charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes based on the full fair market value of the stock/mutual fund on the date the gift is made, assuming it has been held long term-one year or more.
• Gift credit from Bradley based on the full fair market value of the stock/mutual fund, not its cost basis.

In matters of personal tax consideration, donors should consult their financial advisors. Find out more about Gifts of Securities.

Other Gift Plans

Gift of Residence or Farm with a Retained Right to Use the Property

Because of special provisions in the tax laws, you can give Bradley University your personal residence or farm, yet continue to live there for the remainder of your life. Further, you can provide that your spouse may live there for his/her lifetime; or you may continue to live on the property for a set number of years. Either way, you will receive an immediate income tax deduction for the contribution. Find out more about Gift of Residence plans.

Charitable Lead Trust

Charitable Lead Trusts offer a way for you to support Bradley University and transfer substantial assets to beneficiaries (children or grandchildren, for instance) with the potential for significantly lowered gift and estate taxes. Your heirs may actually receive a larger inheritance than they would through an outright bequest or accumulation trust. Plus, Bradley receives an immediate flow of income. Find out more about Charitable Lead Trust gift plans.