When the original purpose for a life insurance policy no longer applies—such as educating children now grown or providing financial security for a spouse now deceased—your policy can become a powerful and simple way to support our work. For any of these options, it is important to complete documentation with the UNH Foundation stating the asset will be transferred as part of your estate plan. There are three ways to give life insurance to UNH:
Name UNH beneficiary of the policy. This gift is as simple as updating your beneficiary designation form with the policy holder. You can designate UNH as the primary beneficiary for a percentage or specific amount. You can also make UNH the contingent beneficiary so that we will receive the only balance of your policy if your primary beneficiary doesn't survive you.
Make an outright gift of an existing policy. You can name UNH as owner and beneficiary of an existing policy. You may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize on your taxes. If you continue to pay premiums on the policy, each payment may be tax deductible as a charitable gift when you itemize.
Make an outright gift of a new policy. You can take out a new policy and irrevocably name the University of New Hampshire Foundation, Inc. as the owner and the beneficiary of the insurance contract. This method may be particularly attractive for younger donor. Whether you make a single premium payment for the policy or pay annual premiums, each payment may be tax deductible as a charitable gift when you itemize.
Next Steps
- Contact UNH's Office of Gift Planning for additional information on a gift of life insurance so we can help you direct your gift to the UNH cause that means the most to you.
- Discuss the giving options with your personal advisors to be sure the gift vehicle you choose is the right fit for you.
- Please let us know if you have made this gift to UNH in your estate plans, and we would be happy to recognize you in our Thompson Society, a special community of forward-thinking UNH alumni and friends who have created their legacy here. It is important to complete simple documentation with UNH to ensure we honor your wishes down the line.
Please feel free to share the sample bequest language below with your attorney:
Sample Language
“I give to the University of New Hampshire Foundation, Inc., at 9 Edgewood Road, Durham NH 03824, a New Hampshire nonprofit corporation, or its successor, Federal Tax Identification Number 02‐0437506, [insert here a description of the particular property]."
Please use the following legal information and share with your trusted advisors.
Legal Name: The University of New Hampshire Foundation, Inc.
Address: 9 Edgewood Road, Durham NH 03824
Tax ID: 02‐0437506
*UNHF accepts gifts of life insurance provided the policy is not term life insurance. Donors will be encouraged to name UNHF as beneficiary or contingent beneficiary . Such designations will be recorded as gifts at the time the designation becomes irrevocable.
We're here to help you!
Please contact the UNH Office of Gift Planning with your questions.
Email: gift.planning@unh.edu
Phone: (603) 862-3694
Welcome to the Thompson Society!
During the Celebrate 150 Campaign (2012-2018), more than 200 families made planned gifts to UNH, ranging from $10,000 to millions of dollars, which have already started to have an impact on future generations. But the story of legacy goes back to the origins of UNH when Benjamin Thompson left his farm and other assets to establish what would ultimately become the Durham campus of the University of New Hampshire.
The Thompson legacy has impacted hundreds of thousands of lives, and yours can, too.
As a legacy donor, you'll become a member of the Thompson Society, a distinguished group of supporters who have documented planned gifts to UNH. The UNH Office of Gift Planning will work with you to explore options that best meet your philanthropic goals and timeline--whether you wish to make an immediate impact, generate income with your gift, or make gifts through your will.
We look forward to welcoming you to this prestigious membership of generous donors providing support to generations of Wildcats to come, and we are honored to work with you to create your UNH legacy.
