Bequest Language

Printable Bequest Language

Your Legacy at Georgia Southern

Since the founding of Georgia Southern University in 1906, Eagles have played a vital role in the University’s success. Similarly, the University may also have played an important role in your life. Perhaps you met your spouse at Sweetheart Circle or began lifelong friendships with fellow students on the campus. In addition, professors and University leaders may have provided you with new opportunities.

Your bequest is your personal legacy at Georgia Southern and recognizes the University’s importance in your life. Financial support provided by bequests also ensures that Georgia Southern may continue to shape the future on issues that impact the state of Georgia, the nation, and the world.

What is a bequest?
A bequest is a statement in your written will of your wishes to provide charitable funding for Georgia Southern after your death. You may also provide charitable designations through your retirement plans or IRAs, a life insurance policy, revocable or irrevocable trusts, and/or through government savings bonds.

Getting started…
You can make a bequest to Georgia Southern for a percentage of your estate or a specific dollar amount. You may also designate your bequest for general use or you may elect to restrict its use. Many alumni and friends have established endowments that honor the memory of a family member, loved one, University leader, or professor. These endowments live forever because only the income is used annually for your designated purpose.

Specific bequests are used to make a gift of a specific dollar amount or specific assets to Georgia Southern, such as securities, real estate, or personal property.

Residuary bequests are used to give all or a portion of the rest, residue, and remainder of your estate to Georgia Southern after payment of expenses and any specific amounts designated to other beneficiaries.

Unrestricted: This is the most useful type of bequest, allowing the funds to be allocated by Georgia Southern to meet its highest priority needs.

Restricted: You may designate your bequest to support a special college, school, program, or purpose that reflects your personal or professional interest (for example: scholarships, professor assistantships, faculty research, teaching and development, library acquisitions, or athletics).

Note: To assist you with your plans, Georgia Southern can provide sample language for the area you wish to support. This confidential service is available to you without obligation.

Recommended Bequest Language

The following includes suggested wording that you may consider to benefit Georgia Southern. These examples include only some of the potential gift opportunities. We encourage you to call us and share your final will provision to ensure that your wishes will be properly followed and recognized at the University.

Percentage of estate for unrestricted purposes
I give, devise, and bequeath to Georgia Southern University Foundation, Inc. (the “Foundation”), a not-for-profit organization located in Statesboro, Georgia, ____ percent (__%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate as an unrestricted gift to be used at the discretion of Georgia Southern University and the Foundation for its general purposes.

Percentage of estate for specific purposes with an endowment provision
I give, devise, and bequeath to Georgia Southern University Foundation, Inc. (the “Foundation”), a not-for-profit organization located in Statesboro, Georgia, ____ percent (___%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to establish the _______________ Endowed Fund (the “Fund”). The principal of this Fund shall be invested as part of the Foundation’s permanent endowment and in accordance with the Foundation’s policies. The endowment’s income is to be used by the Foundation for ___________________________. Contributions may be added to the Fund at any time.

If, in the judgment of the Foundation’s board of trustees (the “trustees”), changed circumstances should at some future time render the Fund’s designated use no longer appropriate, then the trustees shall direct use of the Fund to further the objects and purposes of Georgia Southern University and the Foundation, giving consideration to my special interest and original intent as evidenced by the purpose described above.

Specific amount for unrestricted purposes
I give, devise, and bequeath to Georgia Southern University Foundation, Inc. (the “Foundation”), a not-for-profit organization located in Statesboro, Georgia, the sum of $____________ in cash or in-kind (or, alternatively, ____________ shares of _____________ stock) to be used at the discretion of the Foundation’s board of trustees for the general purposes of Georgia Southern University and its related entities and the Foundation.

Specific amount for specific purposes
I give, devise, and bequeath to Georgia Southern University Foundation, Inc. (the “Foundation”), a not-for-profit organization located in Statesboro, Georgia, the sum of $____________ in cash or in-kind (or  ____________ shares of _____________ stock) to be used for ____________________________  at Georgia Southern University.

If, in the judgment of the Foundation’s board of trustees (the “trustees”), changed circumstances should at some future time render the Fund’s designated use no longer appropriate, then the trustees shall direct use of the Fund to further the objects and purposes of Georgia Southern, giving consideration to my special interest and original intent as evidenced by the purpose described above.

Donors (and their professional advisors) are encouraged to call the Office of Trusts, Estates & Gift Planning at (912) 478-0880 before writing a will that includes any type of bequest restriction.

Georgia Southern’s Recognition of Your Planned Gift

If you have already designated Georgia Southern University with a bequest, retirement plan, or other planned gift, please let us know so that we may properly recognize you and welcome you as a member of the Soaring Eagles Legacy Society.

The information presented is not offered as legal or tax advice. You are urged to seek the advice of your tax advisor, attorney, and/or financial planner to make certain any gift you are considering fits well in your specific circumstances.