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Find out what the changes mean for you.

What is Planned Giving?

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

A planned gift allows you to make charitable gifts, continue to meet your current income needs, and take advantage of current tax incentives. With your help and the help of your peers, Middlebury will continue to deliver the highest quality educational experience to exceptional scholars. Every gift, no matter the amount, is deeply appreciated.

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.

The Gamaliel Painter's Cane Society

The Cane Society

Middlebury alumni, parents, and friends who support the College by including Middlebury in their estate plans are welcomed into The Cane Society. Planned gifts from our more than 1,300 members combine to further Middlebury's mission to create independent thinkers.

 

The easy way to become a member of The Cane Society is to name Middlebury as a beneficiary of your retirement account or as a beneficiary in your will or trust. The sample bequest language found below will help you complete your plans.

Other planned gifts might include life income gifts, such as charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts, or gifts of life insurance.

The College wishes to express its deepest appreciation to members of the Society for their commitment to Middlebury and for carrying on the legacy of Gamaliel Painter. If you've included Middlebury in your charitable plans or intend to do so, please let us know. Sharing your intentions allows us to help you choose the gift that's right for you, and better plan for Middlebury's future.

Have you already named Middlebury as a beneficiary of your estate plan? Let us know by completing the appropriate form. Complete and submit the appropriate intention form or complete, print and return to us via regular mail to: Office of Gift Planning, 700 Exchange Street, Middlebury, VT 05753. We thank you for your intentions!

Middlebury Gift Intention Middlebury Language Schools Middlebury Bread Loaf of English Middlebury Institute of International Studies

Raising Canes: What began as a bequest has become an endearing Middlebury tradition. Illustration by Marian Richardson

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 Middlebury 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.
TIN# 03-0179298.

Gifts from Your Will
Bequests

Through a provision in your written and executed will or living trust you can make a gift to the 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 under-performing assets (cash, stock, CDs, savings bonds, etc.) into a gift to Middlebury that provides income to you or you and a loved one. Your Middlebury 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 the College receives. You'll get a charitable deduction for the full amount of your gift and avoid the impact of capital gains taxes.

Charitable IRA Rollover
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 up to $100,000 directly to Middlebury and avoid paying the tax had you taken it as income.

*Note that under the Secure Act 2.0, the age at which you are required to make minimum distributions (RMD) was raised to age 73 for individuals born between 1951 and 1959, and age 75 for those born in 1960 or later.

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 Middlebury as a beneficiary of your donor advised fund. Designate the College 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 Middlebury when the fund terminates.

Gifts Through Trusts

Charitable Remainder Trusts provide you income from an asset that then passes to the College as a gift. Charitable Lead Trusts provide income to Middlebury 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 Middlebury 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 the College as the owner and beneficiary.

For Advisors

If you are working with a professional advisor, or advising a donor, please click below for information needed to included Middlebury College in a charitable estate plan.

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 my contact info below, or submit this form to get more information.



Contact Us

Office of Gift Planning


700 Exchange Street
Middlebury, VT 05753

Legal


President and Fellows of Middlebury College
9 Old Chapel Road
Middlebury, VT 05753


Kristi Brennan Director of Gift Planning

Kristi Brennan

Director of Gift Planning

Tiffany Stowe Associate Director of Gift Planning

Deborah Wales, J.D.

Senior Associate Director of Gift Planning

Tiffany Stowe Associate Director of Gift Planning

Tiffany Stowe

Associate Director of Gift Planning

Laurie Celik Gift Planning

Laurie Celik

Gift Planning Administrator

For Professional Advisors

If you are working with a professional advisor, or advising a donor, request a handy guide for including Middlebury College in a charitable estate plan.

TIN# 03-0179298.

Download Advisor Guide