The most common and simplest form of planned giving, a bequest is a gift that is made through a donor's will. Individuals may include Duke University in their wills by naming Duke for either a specific amount or a percent share of their estate. Donors can also name Duke as the residual beneficiary of their estates after payment of bequests to others.

Benefits of making a bequest gift include the fact that donors do not have to part with any money until they die, and do not owe any estate tax on the amount of the bequest.

For more information on making a bequest gift to Duke, please contact the Office of Gift Planning at (919) 681-0464 or visit http://www.giftplanning.duke.edu.