TYPES OF GIFTS
There are many ways to give to Smith, each with its own tax, cash flow and other aspects. This is a brief list, to help guide your thinking. There are a number of us (see the end of this document) who can help you match your giving to your wishes and needs.
CURRENT USE GIFTS AND PLEDGES
Please consider a multi-year Smith Fund pledge that would help you stretch your giving. Your entire gift will be credited to our class for our 55th Reunion.
For instance, a $1,000 pledge annually for five years counts as a $5,000 gift at Reunion.
If you make your gift using appreciated stock, you not only receive a tax deduction in the full value of the gift but also avoid paying tax on the appreciated values. If you make a gift through your IRA, you avoid paying taxes on the amount gifted out from the IRA. Since we are now required to take a minimum distribution from our IRA (RothD) you can meet the minimum without incurring a tax obligation by donating to Smith some or all of the RMD amount.
FINANCIALLY-SAVVY PLANNED GIFTS
Planned gifts include gifts that give you an immediate tax deduction, pay you an income for life, and give Smith immediate funds. Examples are annuities, charitable remainder trusts and charitable lead trusts and even gifts of real estate (for example, you can gift your home but retain the right to live there for life). For example, a $10,000 annuity pays you income for life at attractive rates, gives you an immediate tax deduction, counts as a $10,000 reunion gift and gives Smith future dollars. You can also give property — think an artwork, a car.
BEQUEST GIFTS
You can name Smith in your will, make Smith the beneficiary of an IRA or retirement plan or life insurance. (You remain free to change your plans if circumstances change). One-half of your planned gift, if documented, will “count” as reunion giving. You can achieve significant tax benefits for your heirs while helping Smith. For examples, see click here.
In addition, currently through the Grecourt Match, 10% of your documented bequest and other life income gifts(up to $10,00) per match) will be given in immediate funds as financial aid. A bequest gift can be for general college support or for a specific uses like the class scholarship fund.
Perhaps you can give more than you thought possible!
To maximize your impact on our Reunion, consider a three-part gift:
- A Smith Fund gift or multi-year pledge;
- A contribution to the Class of 1971 Scholarship; and
- Any form of Planned Gift
Contact Information:
For more details about any of these types of gifts, please contact:
Sam Samuels, Smith College Director of Gift Planning, at ssamuels@smith.edu, (413) 320-6174
Our Fund Co-Chairs will always be happy to talk with you about your Reunion giving:
FUND TEAM COORDINATORS: Kate Bennett and Susan Burns Malz
PLANNED GIVING CO-CHAIR: Deb0rah Lans
SPECIAL GIFTS CHAIR: Kathy Kelly SpearAngelica
Gifts can be made in any of the following ways:
- By credit card gift, use the online giving form.
- To pledge, call 800-241-2056, option #1.
- Gifts of securities, please call 800-526-2023, option #5, for our Stock Transfer Form.
- Gifts from a IRA Charitable Rollover, contact your IRA administrator. Learn more and get a sample administrator letter.
- By check, send to Smith College Gift Accounting, 33 Elm Street, Northampton, MA 01063
REMEMBER, 67% of students receive financial aid from Smith and the average grant is $48,117. The college, and the future leaders it will graduate, rely on us to keep its offerings undiminished and its ability to serve women from all backgrounds uncompromised.