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Planned Giving

Make a Big Impact With a Future Gift

When you include Macalester in your charitable giving plans, your generosity supports and inspires generations of Scots.

Whether you are revising your existing plans or creating plans for the first time, our Planned Giving team is ready to partner with you.

Thank you for being a vital part of Macalester’s future.

Have you included Macalester in your plans?

Those who make a commitment to Macalester’s future through an estate provision or life income gift are welcomed as members of the James Wallace Society. This recognition society honors all alumni, parents, and friends whose gifts of future support are helping to ensure Macalester’s continued excellence.

Join the James Wallace Society

Explore Ways to Make Your Gift

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Easy Gifts

Support Macalester through your will, or by naming Macalester as a beneficiary of retirement accounts or life insurance policies.

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Tax-Smart Gifts

Some giving opportunities have specific tax advantages. Our team can help explore your options and share the benefits

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a planned gift?

    A planned gift is a meaningful contribution arranged now to be given in the future, allowing you to support Macalester in a way that aligns with your financial goals, personal values, and long‑term vision for impact. There are a variety of ways to make a planned gift and there is no minimum.
  • What does the gift planning process look like?

    We begin by identifying your financial goals and aligning them with your philanthropic vision. Each planned giving option offers meaningful tax benefits, financial flexibility, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact. Most of these gifts are straightforward and can be arranged with just a few simple steps.
  • What are the most common ways to make a planned gift?

    1. Bequests
      Including Macalester in your will or trust is a powerful way to leave a lasting legacy without parting with your wealth or assets in your lifetime. By designating and properly documenting your planned gift, you ensure that your values and passions continue to make an impact beyond your lifetime.
    2. Beneficiary Gifts
      Listing Macalester as a beneficiary of your retirement account or life insurance policy is an easy way to make your gift without legal documents, and ensures your gift is shared with Macalester directly from your account or policy upon your passing.
    3. Charitable Gift Annuities (CGAs) and Charitable Trusts
      By creating a charitable gift annuity or charitable trust with Macalester, you make a gift now that is in turn invested and pays you back for the remainder of your life or a set period of time. After you pass, the remainder of the investment comes to Macalester to impact the area of campus closest to you.
    4. Real Estate Gifts
      You may transfer real estate directly to Macalester, into a charitable trust, or donate partial interest in a property. In doing so, you may receive charitable deductions and avoid capital gains taxes.
  • What other types of gifts does Macalester accept?

    In addition to the gifts mentioned above, the Planned Giving team also works with donors who make gifts in kind–which can be anything of value, including art, instruments, copyrights, etc. Depending on the asset, Macalester may keep the item for use in our gallery, archives, or classrooms. In other instances, assets may be sold so that the proceeds can benefit programs the donor cares most about. All gifts in kind are subject to Macalester’s gift acceptance policy, and any tax benefits will follow IRS reporting guidelines.

  • If I want to donate proceeds of business sale or personal property, what is the best way to do so?

    It is important to let us know as soon as possible if you are interested in gifting Macalester proceeds from a business or property sale. There are significant tax advantages (i.e. avoiding capital gains tax) by naming Macalester in a sale agreement, but the transaction is only allowable by the IRS if we are informed before intent to sell, liquidate, or merge is documented.
  • Can I give private property (i.e. real estate) to Macalester and still retain it in my lifetime?

    Yes, you can! With a retained life estate, donors irrevocably deeds a personal residence or property to Macalester but retains the right to live in it for the rest of their life or a term of years.
  • When establishing a bequest intention, is it better to designate an amount or a percentage?

    The choice depends on your individual circumstances. In general, percentages offer better protection against inflation and fluctuations in the value of an estate, while fixed amounts are ideal for achieving specific goals, such as establishing an endowed fund with set minimums.

  • What does Macalester need from me to document my intention?

    Macalester asks donors to complete a simple, one page confirmation form to join the James Wallace Society, the community of donors who have included Mac in their estate plans. While we do not require additional documentation, we will gladly accept any information you are willing to provide. Some donors provide copies of their will (which are filed confidentially) or documentation showing Macalester is listed as a beneficiary on a specific account.