PLANNED GIVING

When you include Roosevelt University in your estate plans today, you are choosing to support the Roosevelt students of tomorrow — ensuring their access to an education grounded in excellence, diversity and equity. Your estate gift will lay the foundation for the University's future, while making certain that your personal philanthropic intentions are honored.

Getting Started

A bequest is a gift from your estate — a transfer of cash, securities or other property — made through your estate plans. Some advantages of incorporating Roosevelt in your estate plans include:

  • A bequest costs nothing now, but allows you to leave a lasting legacy at Roosevelt University.
  • You retain control and use of your assets during your lifetime.
  • You may modify your bequest at any time.
  • Gifts to Roosevelt from your estate are exempt from federal estate taxes.
  • If you inform Roosevelt of your plans, we will be able to thank you now and recognize you as a distinguished member of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Society.

Planning Your Bequest

When planning your bequest, you will need to consider how you would like your gift to be used to benefit Roosevelt University. Below are three areas that donors most commonly choose to support.

Donors who wish to establish named or endowed funds are highly encouraged to contact the University. Our team will assist you in establishing a formalized gift agreement, which will help ensure that your philanthropic intentions can and will be honored by the University. 

Where Needed Most

An unrestricted bequest allows the University to use the funds where needed most  — utilizing your gift to advance student-centric programming and capital projects.  

Please note, gifts under $10,000 will automatically be classified as unrestricted and directed to one of the University's annual funds: 

  • General and college-specific scholarship funds
  • The Annual Fund for Student Success

Named & Endowed Scholarships

Last year, 2,471 students received financial support through one of Roosevelt's scholarship and grant programs — thanks to the generosity of donors. And, many of these scholarships were established through bequests. 

Your gift of $10,000 – $49,999 may establish an expendable scholarship fund, providing $2,500 scholarships to one or more students each year until the fund is depleted.

A gift of $50,000 or more will establish an endowed scholarship fund, providing scholarship support to students in perpetuity. The gift is invested in the University's long-term investment portfolio, and is disbursed under the University's endowment guidelines.

Gifts may also be directed to an already established scholarship fund. 

Donors may indicate any awarding preferences, such as a student's college, major, degree level, race, ethnicity and gender. All scholarship recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress towards the completion of their degree. 

Special Initiatives & Projects

Some donors choose to support the University's special initiatives or projects with their gift. Examples of these initiatives include: 

  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 
  • Centers & Institutes
  • Civic Engagement & Internship Programs
  • Research
  • Faculty Development

 

 

 

 

Making Your Bequest

You may make your bequest to Roosevelt by including language in your will or living trust, leaving a portion of your estate to the University. To assist you in preparing your bequest, we've included recommended language below. Please note, this information is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. 

Roosevelt University requests that you notify the institution of your intended bequest by completing and submitting the "Bequest Intention Form." In turn, you will be recognized as a member of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Society. 

COMPLETE the Bequest Intention Form

To leave an unrestricted bequest or to designate your gift to an existing fund: 

  • I leave [% of estate/$ amount/residue] to Roosevelt University, a not-for-profit corporation (Tax ID 36-2167854) to support Roosevelt University (optional: program/department/college/initiative/name of existing fund).

To establish an expendable fund with your bequest: 

  • I leave [% of estate/$ amount/residue] to Roosevelt University, a not-for-profit corporation (Tax ID 36-2167854) to establish the [name of fund], an expendable fund, in support of [student scholarships, faculty research, facilities, initiative] at Roosevelt University. 

To establish an endowed fund with your bequest: 

  • I leave [$ of estate/$ amount/residue] to Roosevelt University, a not-for-profit corporation (Tax ID 36-2167854) to establish the [name of fund], an endowed fund, in support of [student scholarships, faculty research, facilities, initiative] at Roosevelt University. The principal of this fund shall be invested in the University's long-term investment pool in accordance with the University's investment policies, and disbursed in accordance with the endowment spending policy in effect each year. 

Contact & Tax Identification Information:  

Roosevelt University
Attn: University Advancement
430 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605-1394

EIN: 36-2167854

 

Recognition

Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Society
The Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Society recognizes and honors Roosevelt's steadfast supporters for their philanthropic investment in the University's future success. As a member of the Society, you will receive the following benefits: 

  • Recognition in the University's annual report, as well as other communications. 
  • Invitation to exclusive donor engagement events each year.

 

Creating a Legacy


thomas crown with wife donna

Learn how Roosevelt alumnus Thomas Crown, '51 plans to build upon his own legacy by supporting future students within Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts. Crown's recent bequest will establish the Thomas and Donna Crown Scholarship to benefit a trumpet player and a trombone player each year. The gift is also named for his late wife, Donna. The couple spent 61 years together, and this gift is their lasting legacy to Roosevelt students. 

"I continue to be grateful for the Roosevelt scholarships I received, and I wanted to help other young musicians in the same way. I hope you consider doing the same for Roosevelt's deserving students."

 

 

Contact Us

To learn more about planned giving opportunities at Roosevelt University, or to take the next step in planning your bequest, please contact one of our staff members. 

Ways To Give

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