Support Ohio State Through Your Will or Living Trust

An Easy Way to Deepen Your Connection

Did you know you can make an impact at Ohio State without opening your checkbook? A gift in your will or living trust, also called a bequest, is an effective and flexible way to support the future of our students, faculty and programs.

With as little as one sentence, you can create your gift. This type of donation to The Ohio State University Foundation helps ensure that we continue our mission to provide accessible and meaningful education for years to come.

See How It Works

How To Start

  1. Contact the Office of Estate and Gift Planning at 614-292-2183 or giftplan@osu.edu for additional information on bequests or to chat more about the different options for including Ohio State in your will or estate plan.
  2. Seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor.
  3. If you include Ohio State in your plans, please use our legal name and federal tax ID.

Legal Name: The Ohio State University Foundation
Address: 14 E. 15th Ave., Columbus, OH 43201
Federal Tax ID Number: 31-1145986

Payments for Life

Your payments depend on your age at the time of the donation. If you are younger than 60, we recommend that you learn more about your options and download this FREE guide Plan for Retirement With a Deferred Gift Annuity.

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An Example of How It Works

Older couple smilingMeet Tom and Martha. When they got married and created a will, they included a $75,000 gift to The Ohio State University Foundation. As the family grew to include three children, Tom and Martha decided to revise their gift to ensure their children's future financial security.

They met with their attorney and revised the gift language so that The Ohio State University Foundation received a percentage of their estate, instead of a specific amount. Tom and Martha now rest easy knowing their plans will provide for the people and charitable work they love.

An Example of How It Works

Older couple smilingMeet Tom and Martha. When they got married and created a will, they included a $75,000 gift to The Ohio State University Foundation. As the family grew to include three children, Tom and Martha decided to revise their gift to ensure their children's future financial security.

They met with their attorney and revised the gift language so that The Ohio State University Foundation received a percentage of their estate, instead of a specific amount. Tom and Martha now rest easy knowing their plans will provide for the people and charitable work they love.

Create Your Own Giving Plan

Create a secure plan for you, your loved ones, and the causes you care about with our complimentary Personal Estate Planning Kit.

Access My Kit

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to The Ohio State University Foundation a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to The Ohio State University Foundation, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 14 E. 15th Ave., Columbus, OH 43201, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Ohio State or other charities.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Ohio State as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Ohio State as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Ohio State where you agree to make a gift to Ohio State and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

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