Looking ahead
It’s no secret that the college relies on the generous donations from alumni and friends to meet the needs of our students, put a quality education within their reach, and make innovative strides in vision research.
What some people do not realize is there are ways to support the college without writing a check or parting with your assets today. By using your will, estate plan, or other assets, you can make a meaningful difference for future generations of students and optometry leaders while putting your current financial needs first.
One of the most popular ways to leave a legacy gift to support the college is through a gift in your will. Why designate a gift in your estate plan?
- Your current income or assets remain the same.
- You can update your wishes at any time.
- You can tailor your gift to support the areas or programs you are most passionate about at the college.
The value of your estate will likely fluctuate throughout your lifetime. Instead of giving a fixed dollar amount to us, consider gifting a percentage of your estate. Whether 1% or 100%, your gift makes a difference. You can also leave a percentage of your residual estate (the portion of your estate that remains after all claims of the estate are settled).
You can tailor your gift to reflect your passions and areas of interest. Whether it is supporting a specific program, establishing a scholarship, or making a contribution to our general needs, you can use your will to give a gift that reflects you.
Consider these popular ways to give from your will:
- Unrestricted bequest. Provide the college with the greatest flexibility to use the gift where it is needed most at the time of receipt.
- Restricted bequest. Support a specific program or area of your choice.
- Endowed bequest. Designate your bequest to an endowed fund that is permanently invested to generate annual support for the area you specify.
When you include a gift to the College of Optometry in your legacy plans, you ensure your support for the college continues well into the future.
Already have the College of Optometry included in your estate plans? We encourage you to let us know of any existing gift commitments. We would like the opportunity to thank you and ensure your gift is fulfilled according to your wishes. Plus, this qualifies you as a member of the Neil Legacy Society.
If you have questions about the process of making a gift to the College of Optometry through your estate, please reach out to Shawn Gilbert via email at gilbert.351@osu.edu, or phone at 614-247-6426. I would be happy to discuss the incredible impact that your estate gift can have on our mission.
Take the first step today
Our complimentary estate planning kit can help you discover tax-smart and heartfelt ways you can protect the security of your loved ones and make an impact at the college.
