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Is Messiah University included in your Estate Plans?

A significant source of support for Messiah is to document bequest intentions to the University. Knowing and documenting future bequests is important for a number of reasons:

  1. We want to be able to recognize and thank those who wish to Create a Legacy with the University.
  2. We want to be good stewards and utilize the bequest in the way it was desired.
  3. Knowing bequest intentions will enable the University to better plan for its financial future.
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Legacy gifts have been critical to Messiah University's mission. They make up 80% of our endowment, have helped us build numerous facilities, and provided much needed financial aid to students. If you included Messiah University in your estate plans, please print, complete and mail the Confidential Charitable Bequest Intent form to: Messiah University, One University Avenue, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.

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Sample Bequest Language

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Welcome!

Thank you for considering a legacy gift to Messiah College. For a unrestricted gift, please use the following sample bequest language:

I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP] give, devise and bequeath to Messiah College, situated in Grantham, Pennsylvania [written amount, description of property or percentage of the estate] for its unrestricted use and purposes. Messiah College's tax ID #23-1352661.

If, however, there is a specific use (designation) that is desired, it would be good to confirm that purpose with us. Click here for a Bequest Intent Form. You can also click here for more information. Let me know if there are any other questions. Thank you!

Please contact our Heritage Society Office if you have any questions at [email protected] or call 717-796-5051.

Benefits of Your Bequest

  • Leave a lasting legacy to be remembered.
  • Lessen the burden of taxes on your family.
  • Possible estate tax savings.

How Do You Make a Bequest?

A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make. With the help of an advisor, you can include language in your will or trust specifying a gift to be made to family, friends or Messiah University as part of your estate plan.

Your Bequest Options

A bequest may be made in several ways:

  • Gift of a specific dollar amount or asset
  • Gift of a percentage of your estate
  • Gift from the balance or residue of your estate

Making a Bequest of Your Retirement Assets

A retirement asset, such as an IRA account, makes an excellent bequest to us. If the IRA were given to your family, much of the value may be lost through estate and income taxes. By designating Messiah University as the beneficiary of all or part of your IRA (using a beneficiary designation form provided by your custodian), the full value of the gift is transferred tax-free at your death and your estate receives an estate tax charitable deduction.

Please contact us to learn more about the benefits of making a charitable gift.

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