Planned Giving & Bequests
Create an enduring legacy that transforms University of Bridgeport for generations to come. Planned gifts provide sustained funding for academic excellence while offering significant estate and tax benefits for you and your family.
Flexible Giving Options
Planned Giving Vehicles
Explore gift structures tailored to your financial timeline and philanthropic vision.
Bequests Through a Will or Trust
The simplest and most popular way to leave a lasting impact without affecting your current assets.
- Designate a specific dollar amount or percentage of estate
- Maintain full control and access to your assets during your lifetime
- Revocable at any time should your family circumstances change
- Substantial reduction in federal estate taxes
- Support scholarships, academic chairs, or campus renewal
- Simple codicil added to your existing will
- Qualifies you for immediate induction into The Marina Society
- No minimum dollar amount required to participate
Retirement Plans & Life Insurance
Name UB as a beneficiary of your 401(k), 403(b), IRA, or life insurance policy.
- Bypasses costly probate procedures and legal fees
- Avoids income tax on retirement assets distributed to charity
- Easily updated by completing a simple beneficiary form with your plan custodian
- Can designate UB for partial percentage (e.g. 10%, 25%, 50%)
- Ideal for donors seeking to preserve liquid cash for heirs
- High-impact legacy gift with zero current out-of-pocket cost
- Tax-efficient wealth preservation strategy
- Simple confirmation with the Advancement Office
Charitable Gift Annuities (CGAs)
Receive guaranteed fixed annual income for life while supporting UB students.
- Guaranteed fixed income payments for one or two lives
- Attractive payout rates based on your age (typically 5%–9%)
- Immediate federal charitable income tax deduction
- Portion of each annual payment is tax-free return of principal
- Remaining principal funds student scholarships upon passing
- Backed by the full financial assets of University of Bridgeport
- Favorable capital gains tax treatment when funded with appreciated stock
- Minimum funding amount starts at $10,000
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
Individuals aged 70½ or older can transfer up to $105,000 annually directly from an IRA to UB tax-free.
- Transfers count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
- Distribution is excluded from your taxable adjusted gross income (AGI)
- Avoids pushing you into higher tax brackets or triggering Medicare surcharges
- Direct electronic transfer from your IRA custodian
- Immediate impact on campus operations and scholarships
- Available to both itemizers and non-itemizing standard deduction filers
- Spouses with individual IRAs can each contribute up to $105,000
- Annual tax-smart philanthropic strategy
The Marina Society
Named after the historic Marina Dining Hall overlooking Seaside Park, The Marina Society honors alumni and friends who have made a commitment to University of Bridgeport through a bequest, charitable trust, annuity, or beneficiary designation.nnBy notifying us of your estate intentions, you allow the university to plan strategically for the future while giving us the opportunity to celebrate your generosity today.
- VIP invitations to presidential dinners and university lectures
- Listing in the annual Marina Society honor roll (or remain anonymous)
- Commemorative handcrafted Marina Society medallion and pin
- Personal meetings with university leadership to discuss your gift impact
Official Sample Bequest Language for Your Attorney
Sample legal clause: I give, devise, and bequeath to University of Bridgeport, a non-profit educational institution incorporated under the laws of the State of Connecticut and located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, [the sum of $_______ / ___% of my estate / the residue of my estate], to be used for its general educational purposes [or designated for a specific scholarship/college].
Do I need to be wealthy to make a planned gift?
Not at all. Many of our most impactful legacy gifts come from alumni of modest means who designate a small percentage (such as 5% or 10%) of their 401(k) or life insurance policy.
Can my planned gift establish an endowed scholarship in my family's name?
Yes. Endowed scholarships can be funded through your estate (starting at $25,000), generating annual scholarship awards in perpetuity for students in your chosen discipline.
Can I modify my planned gift if my circumstances change?
Yes. Bequests and beneficiary designations are completely revocable during your lifetime. You retain total control over your assets.
Office of Planned Giving
Our planned giving officers offer confidential, obligation-free consultations for you and your financial advisors.