Planned Giving Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the three kinds of gifts I can give to Fairfield University?

A. Generally speaking, during your lifetime you can make an outright gift of cash, securities, or other property (e.g., real estate, personal property).

Upon your death you can make a gift through your will or with a distribution from a retirement plan or life insurance policy.

You also have the option of making a gift that returns lifetime income to you, your spouse, or other individuals, such as a charitable gift annuity, a charitable remainder unitrust, or annuity trust.

Q. What sort of assets can I use to make a gift?

A. Almost anything: cash, publicly traded securities, life insurance, the balance of your retirement account. Other assets can be very valuable but are more complicated to administer and must be reviewed by us before we can accept them as gifts: real estate, closely held stock, artwork, and collectibles.

Q. What tax deduction will I receive for my gift?

A. It depends on the form your gift takes:

• Outright gifts to Fairfield University generate a full income-tax charitable deduction. Outright gifts of appreciated securities are deductible at fair market value, with no recognition of capital gains - a great tax benefit!
• Gifts of personal property, like art, books, and collectibles, are fully deductible as long as they are relevant to our mission. We can advise you on this point.
• Bequests do not generate a lifetime income tax deduction. They are exempt from estate tax, however.
• Similarly, life insurance distributions to Fairfield University are not income-tax deductible, but are exempt from estate tax. If you have made us the irrevocable owner and beneficiary of a policy during your lifetime, you may deduct annual gifts that offset premium payments (for more details on this point, see Question 5 below).
• The charitable deduction for a gift that returns income to you, such as a charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust, is the fair market value of the gift asset minus the present value of the income interest you retain.

Q. Can Fairfield University serve as the Executor of my estate?

A. No. State law, the limitations of our corporate powers, and our internal policies prevent us from taking such a role in your affairs.

Q. I want to set up a life insurance policy, name Fairfield University as beneficiary, but retain ownership of the policy. Can I deduct the premium payments I make?

A. No. The IRS would not consider that a "completed gift" - they'd say that, as the owner of the policy, you could change the beneficiary designation to a friend or family member. Fairfield must be made the irrevocable owner of the policy for gifts offsetting premium payments to be deductible.

Q. Can I transfer my IRA to Fairfield University to set up a life-income gift, and avoid income tax on the transfer?

A. Under present law, any lifetime distributions from an IRA are included in your taxable income, even if these funds are transferred to us. You do, however, receive a current charitable deduction when you establish a life income gift, which would partially offset the amount included in your taxable income. Proposed legislation would make the transfer tax-free, however. Watch our web site for updates.

Q. I'd like to donate a painting. Will you determine its value for my income tax deduction?

A. No, we can't. The IRS requires that donors of artwork and collectibles secure an independent appraisal of the items to establish fair market value. The appraisal has to be related to the gift, too - an insurance appraisal won't suffice. We can assist you on this point.

Q. I'm interested in establishing a charitable gift annuity. What financial provisions will you make for the income payments to me and my spouse?

A. Your charitable gift annuity will be treated as a general obligation of Fairfield University, backed by all of our assets. We have an unbroken record in making timely payments to our annuitants, and that ongoing responsibility is a key element in our financial policies.

Q. If I create a bequest or life-income gift, will Fairfield University continue to ask me for annual contributions?

A. We will, because the commitments address two different needs. Your planned gift is a significant addition to our long-term financial strength - our ability to meet the challenges and opportunities the future will bring. Today's teaching, however, is supported through your annual gift. We are grateful that you want us to be a force for good, both today and in the future.