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Giving Opportunities
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PLANNED
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
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here to use our Planned Gift Benefit's Calculator
Giving
Through Your Will or Estate Plan
The Mackenzie Heritage Society
At Hartford Seminary
The
Mackenzie Heritage Society at Hartford Seminary is comprised of people
who have provided for Hartford Seminary in their estate plans. The
Society is named for William Douglas McKenzie, President of Hartford
Seminary from 1903-1930.
Hartford
Seminary’s Heritage
Hartford
Seminary traces its roots to 1833, when a group of Congregational
ministers formed the Pastoral Union of Connecticut to train
ministerial leadership for the churches. They organized a school,
which opened the following year. The founders hoped that close ties
would develop between this new seminary and the Congregational
Churches of Connecticut, so that these churches would look upon the
Seminary as their institution and provide financial support. The
school survived and thrived.
Mission and Support
Today
As
throughout its history, Hartford Seminary today lives out its
dedication to the concept of praxis -- putting thought and
belief into action in support of faithful living. The Seminary today
receives support from churches and people of all denominations,
and relies on the generosity of individual, corporate and foundation
donors, including the estate plans of individuals, to continue to
serve as a leader in theological education and research, and in
advancing understanding and acceptance through interfaith dialogue.
The
importance of Planned Giving, to you and to organizations you value
Estate
planning is important to every individual, regardless of the size of
his or her estate. It
provides everyone with the opportunity to determine who will receive
the property he or she owns, and in what amounts or proportions the
property will be distributed. Without
an estate plan, these decisions will be made by someone who did not
know you, and was unaware of the values and causes which you
cherish.
Estate
planning is also vital to organizations such as Hartford Seminary.
Many planned gifts made to Hartford Seminary, unless
otherwise restricted by the donor, provide income from the
Seminary’s endowment, year after year, to support its core
academic programs. These
include scholarships for deserving students; research; teaching in
theology, scripture and contemporary ethics; the preparation of
clergy for ministry; and creating an environment in which religious
differences can be discussed.
Benefits
to the Donor:
The benefits of having an estate plan are considerable.
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You can make a gift which will last as long as Hartford
Seminary endures, a gift which produces income for vital programs,
year after year.
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You make a gift which reflects your own personal interests
and goals, a gift which you have freely chosen for this purpose.
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You give what you have always wanted to give, but cannot
afford to give during your lifetime.
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You reduce or eliminate estate or inheritance taxes, either
now or to be paid by your estate or your survivors.
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Confidentiality: No one need know of your estate plans during
your lifetime, or even following your death, if you prefer.
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Simplicity: estate planning is easy to do, and to understand
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Flexibility:
--you
can give any asset--cash or non-cash
--you can give any amount, large or small
--you
can change many estate plans at any time
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Satisfaction:
You have the assurance that your gift will help what you have chosen
Some
Types of Planned Gifts to Consider
Bequests
are the most common form of planned gifts. They are easy to execute. Types of bequests include:
An Outright Gift:
You may designate a specific amount or percentage of your
estate
to benefit Hartford Seminary.
A Residual Gift:
You may designate a share of your estate, or the entire remainder of
your estate, after your loved ones are provided for.
A Contingent Gift: You may designate Hartford Seminary as beneficiary
in the event that your primary heirs predecease you.
You
may also “perpetuate” your annual gift in a bequest. For
example, a bequest of $10,000, held in trust and producing income at
5%, will continue or provide a $500 annual gift, year after year.
A “memorial” bequest, made in your name or in memory of a
family or loved one, ensures an enduring tribute to those who love
and value the mission of Hartford Seminary.
A life insurance policy which cites Hartford Seminary
as the
beneficiary and on which the donor pays the annual premiums, is
another way to make a planned gift.
There are also planned gifts to consider which can benefit
you during your lifetime, or benefit both
Hartford Seminary and your
loved ones. Just two
examples are:
A Charitable Gift
Annuity will guarantee you an annual lifetime income, after
which time the principal becomes the property of the Seminary
Certain trusts can produce income to benefit the Seminary for a defined
period of years, after which the principal reverts to you, or
becomes the property of a person whom you choose.
To
Join the Mackenzie Heritage Society
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Establish an estate plan, and include Hartford Seminary among
the beneficiaries; or
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Update your existing estate plan to include Hartford
Seminary; or
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Let us know if your have already included Hartford Seminary in your estate
plan, or even if you intend to do so.
Hartford
Seminary welcomes your inquiries, which are all held in strict
confidence, and stands ready to assist you. We
also strongly advise and encourage donors to always consult with
their own attorney or trusted advisor as well.
For
more information, please feel free to contact the Director of
Institutional Advancement at (860) 509-9556 or send an email to giving@hartsem.edu.
What
began in 1833 with a vision for developing leadership in
ministry
has evolved today into renowned center for
scholarship, research and
dialogue.
The
vision of the founders of Hartford Seminary has flourished.
Their legacy is intact, in many ways because of the
generosity
and foresight demonstrated by those whose gifts support
its work
That
generosity, and their wisdom and
planning, enrich us.
Make
a Gift Now
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