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NEW! The CAA2023 creates an opportunity to give and save, and recently-raised CGA rates mean a bigger return on your gift. Find out what the changes mean for you.

What is Planned Giving?

Planned Giving is a way to support Carleton College in the future through arrangements you make today.

Making charitable contributions is an art-a creative process that adapts to your changing needs as a donor. Planned giving allows you to make charitable gifts, continue to meet your current income needs, and take advantage of current tax incentives.

This site is designed to make it easy for you to get the information you need when considering a planned gift. You will also find information to share with your financial advisor and estate planner. When you are ready, you can use this site to reach out to us to share your plans, let us know what you are considering, or just to start a confidential, no obligation conversation about what's possible.

JOSEPH LEE HEYWOOD SOCIETY

WHO WAS JOSEPH LEE HEYWOOD?

Joseph Lee Heywood Photograph

Joseph Lee Heywood served as Carleton's volunteer treasurer and a bank officer at the First National Bank of Northfield during the infamous James-Younger raid in 1876. Despite repeated threats from members of this notorious gang, he refused them access to the vault and was fatally shot. He was heralded locally and nationally for giving his life to prevent the robbery and protect the College's resources. His name has been synonymous with uncommon loyalty ever since.

More than a century later, we honor both Heywood and those who embody his spirit and allegiance by showing exceptional devotion to the College. Through their gifts of future support, Heywood Society members pledge to safeguard Carleton's excellence in liberal arts education for centuries to come.

Joseph Lee Heywood Signature

An Invitation to Join the Joseph Lee Heywood Society

Anyone can join the Heywood Society. It is easy to do, does not have to alter your current lifestyle and can be modified to address your changing needs.

The most straightforward way to become a member of the Heywood Society is to name Carleton a beneficiary of your retirement account or as a beneficiary in your will or trust.

Sample bequest language will help you complete your plans. Other planned gifts might include charitable income gifts, such as charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts, or gifts of life insurance.

Once you complete your estate plans, please let Carleton know. We would like to thank you for your generosity by including you in the Joseph Lee Heywood Society.

How to Give

Not only do you have options for how your gift will be used, you also have options on what to give and how to give. There are gifts that cost you nothing now, gifts that pay you income, and gifts that allow you to decide what happens when.

Beneficiary Designations
Retirement Assets and other Funds

Naming Carleton as the beneficiary of a retirement plan asset such as an IRA, 401(k), or 403(b), will accomplish a charitable goal while realizing a significant tax savings.

Gifts from Your Will
Bequests

Through a provision in your written and executed will or living trust you can make a gift to Carleton College in the form of cash, securities, real estate or personal property. There are many types of bequests. Consult with your attorney to choose the one that best fits your needs and intentions.

Life Income Gifts
Charitable Gift Annuities

You can turn underperforming assets (cash, stock, CDs, savings bonds, etc.) into a gift to Carleton College that provides income to you or you and a loved one. Your Carleton College Charitable Gift Annuity will return fixed, quarterly payments for life and provide tax benefits, too.

Gifts of Appreciated Assets
Buy Low. Give High.

When you donate appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares instead of cash, your gift costs you less than the amount Carleton College receives. You'll get a charitable deduction for the full amount of your gift and avoid the impact of capital gains taxes.

IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution
Make a Tax-Free Gift from Your IRA

If you're 70 ½ or older, each year, you can instruct your IRA administrator to transfer a gift (up to $100,000) directly to Carleton and avoid paying the tax had you taken it as income

Gifts of Real Property
Real Estate and Other Valuables

Like stock, the fair market value of gifts of appreciated assets such as real estate, artwork, and other well curated collections can be deducted from your income tax today, avoid capital gains, and reduce estate taxes in the future. There are even ways to donate your home and live there as long as you'd like.

Donor Advised Funds

Name Carleton College as a beneficiary of your donor advised fund. Designate us to receive all or a portion of the balance of your fund through your fund administrator (you can also make a grant to us at any time from your donor-advised fund). The balance in your fund passes to Carleton College when the fund terminates.

Gifts Through Trusts

Charitable Remainder Trusts provide you income from an asset that then passes to Carleton as a gift. Charitable Lead Trusts provide income to Carleton before the asset passes to your heirs. For the savvy donor, charitable trusts can provide tax-advantaged income, eliminate capital gains, or preserve assets for your heirs.

Gifts of Life Insurance

Name Carleton College as the beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy; donate an existing, paid-up life insurance policy you no longer need; or purchase a new life insurance policy and name Carleton College as the owner and beneficiary.

Donor Stories

Webinars

Previous Webinars

Real Estate Webinar presented on April 20, 2023.

Qualified Charitable Distributions Webinar presented by Christian Hakala and Melissa Saunders on November 9, 2022.

Wills & Beneficiaries Webinar | February 1st, 2023

Let’s Talk

Planning your estate and legacy for future generations including your charitable interests takes careful evaluation.

Discussing your charitable intentions with us can lead to a much better result than going it alone - and will ensure that your gift is used just as you wish. Act now to be a good steward of the resources you intend to leave behind. You can use our contact info below, or submit this form to get more information.

Make a Gift

Contact Us

Carleton College
Office of Development

Melissa Saunders '01
Director of Planned Giving
507-222-5500
msaunders@carleton.edu

Laurel Thompson
Planned Gift Administrator
507-222-4201
lthompson@carleton.edu

For Professional Advisors

If you are working with a professional advisor, or advising a donor, here's a handy guide for including Carleton College in a charitable estate plan.

Download Advisor Guide