Bequest Language

Planning for the future and creating the legacy you wish to leave is one of the most effective ways to ensure a lasting impact. Making a gift in your will or living trust, known as a bequest, can guarantee that your legacy endures. Your gift may be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate or the remainder after all other provisions are specified.

Our federal tax ID number is: 38-6005984

Below is suggested language to use when drafting your bequest.

Sample Language

I give and devise to Michigan State University (Tax ID 38-6005984), a non-profit located in East Lansing, Michigan,

the sum of ______ dollars; or

an amount equal to ______ percent of the net value of my estate; or

all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate.

to be held, administered, and used by the Board of Trustees for support of Michigan State University.

I instruct that all of my charitable gifts shall be made, to the extent possible, from property that constitutes “income in respect of a decedent” as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code.

We recommend the general language above, and then making your specific designation using MSU’s pledge/intent form. But if you would like to be more specific in your will/trust document, you can use this additional language to designate it:

It is my intent that this gift be used for the benefit of [specify school, facility or program] at Michigan State University as directed in my most recent statement of intent on file with the University.

If you have named Michigan State University in your will or trust, please let us know so we can ensure that your gift is used according to your wishes. Notifying us of your plans will enable us to plan for the use of your future gift. However, if you prefer to remain anonymous, we will keep your name and gift in strict confidence.

Please contact MSU Office of Gift Planning at 800-232-4678 | 517-884-1000 or giftplan@msu.edu for more information.

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Sample Language