Frequently Asked Questions

While people often think of planned giving as making a gift through a will or life-insurance policy, that’s only part of the story. Planned giving is for the living. There are many giving options, in which funds are transferred during the donor’s lifetime, resulting in immediate tax savings to the donor.

Think about your charitable giving as part of your financial or estate plan. Planned giving offers you a chance to perpetuate your values and commitment to higher education.

You may designate your planned gift to any area of the university, such as a particular faculty, athletic program, or scholarship. You may also choose to endow your gift.

An endowment is a fund that is invested on a long-term basis to provide benefits to the university community year after year, generation after generation, because the gift remains invested and only the generated income is spent. You create a lasting legacy and ensure Concordia’s continued commitment to students.

Yes! First of all, make sure that Concordia is aware of your bequest. If you have made—or plan to make—a bequest to the university in your will, we invite you to become a member of the Concordia Heritage Society, which has been established to recognize you and promote the importance of planned gifts.

Consider making your gift earlier by converting it into annuities or trusts. Many donors are doing this, which gives them immediate tax relief.

The Concordia Heritage Society was established to recognize the generosity of our donors and to underscore the importance of their gifts to the university. Membership is reserved for alumni and friends who have made a bequest or other form of planned gift to Concordia. If you are considering making a bequest or other form of planned gift, or if you have already done so, please contact us.

An understanding of tax laws and how they relate to different asset categories makes it possible to allocate funds to provide for your family and—by significantly reducing your tax burden through a charitable donation—leave room for a meaningful gift to Concordia at relatively little net cost.

Speak to your financial advisor or call us at Concordia. We can help—from explaining your options and how to capitalize on opportunities available under tax laws to making the arrangements and handling the paperwork. Contact us today!