Today, with changing patterns of wealth and tax laws, philanthropic interests and tax savings are often linked. Knowledge of tax laws and judicious planning may enable one person of modest means to make a gift in exchange for a life income; it may permit another to make a significant gift that is paid in part from tax savings. Planned giving is the process by which the philanthropic desire is guided and shaped by financial and estate planning considerations.

There are as many different ways to support Bates as there are needs for your support. You may want to make a substantial gift to Bates, but also want to maintain or even increase your income. If so, you may find it worthwhile to make a gift to a pooled fund, a gift annuity, or a charitable remainder trust, all of which provide a stream of income paid to you—or another beneficiary you designate—for life. The income also may be extended over the lifetimes of more than one person before the gift becomes available to the College. For example, you may direct that the income be paid to yourself as long as you live, and then to your spouse. At the completion of all life income interests, the remainder is distributed to the College for its use, subject to any preferences—such as a named scholarship fund—specified when you made the gift.

Please follow the links on the left side of this page to learn about some of the different ways life income donors have blended their support of Bates with their own special interests, to create a gift that is as meaningful to them as it is beneficial to the College.