You can make a powerful difference in our University’s future by including Clemson in your estate plans.
Your Legacy is our Future
Establishing a legacy by including Clemson as a beneficiary of your estate plans will impact generations of Clemson students, faculty, and staff by enhancing learning perpetuity. Generally, assets are used to establish endowed funds that can be dedicated to support Clemson in the way that follows your estate plan instructions. Our Planned Giving team will quickly and confidentially provide gift illustrations and the language needed to ensure your wishes are realized. We are here to serve you with expertise and partnerships as you explore the impact you can make at Clemson — today, tomorrow and forever.
Bequest Language
A Living Legacy
Clemson University is a living legacy of the vision of Anna Calhoun Clemson and Thomas Green Clemson. When he signed his will on November 6, 1886, Mr. Clemson bequeathed his farm of 814 acres and his fortune of $80,000 in cash and securities to establish "a high seminary of learning." Today, their legacy lives on through Clemson University and the Clemson family; a testament to the power of planned giving.
The 19th century document was written with extraordinary forethought. It does not restrict the University's growth by tying it to one person or a single generation. It was structured to leave flexibility for growth, development, and improvement - which is the hallmark of a true legacy.
By Bequest
Whether you are creating your will for the first time or revising an existing will, including a bequest for Clemson University is an easy and uncomplicated process. Bequests of funds may be expended for current operations or directed to establish an endowment. An endowed fund is one that cannot be exhausted and is preserved in perpetuity, supplying a constant source of financial support for the excellence the University seeks in academic, research, public service and athletic endeavors. Funds established in honor, or in memory, of individuals continue to echo their legacy as income is awarded to deserving recipients or applied to critical programs on an annual basis.
A bequest to the Clemson University Foundation offers you the opportunity to provide Clemson with general support or to address an ongoing need of specific interest to you. Clemson is a dynamic university, and its priorities continually change to fit the needs of the time. Clemson requires flexible resources to maintain the purpose of its founding, which it has strived to do from its days as a military institution to the present. Your legacy can be upheld through the creation of an unrestricted Endowment for Excellence that will ensure Clemson's future.
Included below are suggested phrases that may serve as a guide in selecting the type of bequests you wish to make to Clemson. These forms are intended as models for you to share with your legal adviser when your will or revocable trust is prepared and/or amended.
Suggested Bequest Language
State whether your gift is a fixed sum, a specific asset (such as shares of stock), or calculated from the remainder of your estate:
"I give, devise and bequeath to the Clemson University Foundation, a nonprofit corporation organized in accordance with the laws of the State of South Carolina for the purpose of supporting Clemson University, an educational institution, located at Clemson, SC (choose from a, b, or c below)"
a) the sum of $______________.
b) the following described property _________.
c) ______% of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate.
Select the language below that most closely matches your wishes for how your gift will be used:b) the following described property _________.
c) ______% of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate.
The property comprising this gift may, for investment purposes, be merged with any of the general investment assets of the Clemson University Foundation, but the gift shall be entered in the Foundation's books and recorded as the _______________________________________ (ex. John Jane Doe family Endowment/Fund), and shall always be so designated. The distributions from the fund shall be used for:
a) Unrestricted Bequest/Current Operations
"This gift is to be used for the benefit of Clemson University to support current operations as it deems advisable with no restrictions."
b) Restricted Bequest**
"This gift is to be used by (College/Dept./Program)_________________________ for the following purpose:____________________________________________________"
(If a contribution is to be restricted, it is recommended that the intended provision be reviewed with University officials to be certain that your wishes may be carried out.)
c) Unrestricted Endowment
"This gift is to be used for the benefit of Clemson University to add to its permanent endowment. Income generated from this fund shall be expended for the benefit of Clemson University to support scholarships and current operations as it deems advisable with no restrictions."
d) Named Endowed Scholarship, Fellowship or Program:**
"This gift is to be used for the purpose of creating the __________________________."
(List endowment name and choice of endowed scholarship, fellowship or program area.)
"This gift is to be used for the benefit of Clemson University to support current operations as it deems advisable with no restrictions."
b) Restricted Bequest**
"This gift is to be used by (College/Dept./Program)_________________________ for the following purpose:____________________________________________________"
(If a contribution is to be restricted, it is recommended that the intended provision be reviewed with University officials to be certain that your wishes may be carried out.)
c) Unrestricted Endowment
"This gift is to be used for the benefit of Clemson University to add to its permanent endowment. Income generated from this fund shall be expended for the benefit of Clemson University to support scholarships and current operations as it deems advisable with no restrictions."
d) Named Endowed Scholarship, Fellowship or Program:**
"This gift is to be used for the purpose of creating the __________________________."
(List endowment name and choice of endowed scholarship, fellowship or program area.)
If you select a specific purpose for your gift, inclusion of the following sentence will ensure that the bequest remains useful through many decades.
"If at the time this devise and bequest is received by the Clemson University Foundation, or at any time thereafter, Clemson University determines that all or part of said income of the Fund can no longer be utilized to the best advantage for the purpose designated herein, then all or any part of the annual income may be used for such other institutional purpose which, in the sole discretion of Clemson University, shall most closely carry out my original intent."
**Please be advised fund minimum may apply
Amend a Will / Trust Document
If you already have an up-to-date will but have not provided for a bequest to Clemson University or the Clemson University Foundation, a simple and inexpensive codicil can be prepared and attached to your will without disturbing any of your existing arrangements. A codicil is merely an addition or amendment to an existing will. Following is an example of a codicil:
"I, JOHN DOE, hereby amend my Last Will and Testament, executed on the ____________ day of ____________________, in the year 20____. I direct that all provisions of that Will remain in effect but in addition I give, devise, and bequeath __________________________ to the Clemson University Foundation, a non-profit organization duly existing under the law of the State of South Carolina and located at Clemson, SC, to be used as the University may direct or to be used for (unrestricted or a stated purpose) the benefit of Clemson University."
In the drafting of all devises and bequests having a restricted purpose, the Clemson University Foundation respectfully requests the donor and/or their attorney please contact the Office of Gift and Estate Planning to discuss the details of the bequest/estate plan intentions so Clemson may properly steward the future gift when it is received. To ensure clarity, we propose that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) be created between the Clemson University Foundation and the donor(s) to outline the use and specific purpose of the donor's gift for Clemson University's students, faculty, staff and programs.Contact for Estate Planning Assistance
If you choose to name Clemson University or the Clemson University Foundation as a beneficiary, please let us know your plans. This will enable us not only to show our appreciation of your thoughtful generosity, but also to include your support in planning for the future of Clemson University.
Please see the Clemson University Statement of Future Gifts form which is used to outline your future commitment. We would be pleased to include you in the Clemson Legacy Society, which was created to honor individuals who follow the example of our Founders and have made the decision to have an impact on the future of Clemson University students.
If you would like to receive additional information about the preparation of your estate plan and or discuss tax benefits, please contact:
JoVanna J. King
Senior Associate Vice President for Development
Development & Alumni Relations
Clemson University
110 Daniel Drive
Clemson, SC 29631
Phone: (864) 656-0663
Toll Free: 800-699-9153
Email: [email protected]
Clemson University Foundation (EIN #: 57-0426335)
Office of Trusts, Gifts and Estate Planning
(P.O. Box 1889) 110 Daniel Drive
Clemson, SC 29631
