Bequest Language

A gift to The River School in your will or revocable trust enables you to support our mission and make a difference in the lives of future generations. A bequest:

• is easy to arrange.
• will not alter your current lifestyle in any way.
• can be easily modified to address your changing needs.

Residual Gift Language

A residual bequest comes to us after your estate expenses and specific bequests are paid:

I give and devise to The River School (Tax ID #52-2172713), located in Washington, District Of Columbia, all (or state a percentage) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).

Specific Gift Language

Naming The River School as a beneficiary of a specific amount from your estate is easy:

I give and devise to The River School (Tax ID #52-2172713), located in Washington, District Of Columbia, the sum of $___________ (or asset) to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).

Contingent Gift Language

The River School or its affiliates can be named as a contingent beneficiary in your will or personal trust if one or more of your specific bequests cannot be fulfilled:

If (insert name) is not living at the time of my demise, I give and devise to The River School (Tax ID #52-2172713), located in Washington, District Of Columbia, the sum of $ _______ (or all or a percentage of the residue of my estate) to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).

Retirement Plan Beneficiary Language

You may name The River School (Tax ID #52-2172713) as a beneficiary of your IRA or other qualified retirement benefits. Donors should consult with their tax advisor regarding the tax benefits of such gifts.

Naming The River School as the beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan asset such as a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Keogh or profit-sharing pension plan will accomplish a charitable goal while realizing significant tax savings. It can be costly to pass such assets on to heirs because of heavy tax consequences. By naming The River School as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, the donor maintains complete control over the asset while living, but at the donor’s death the plan passes to support The River School free of both estate and income taxes.

Making a charitable gift from your retirement plan is easy and should not cost you any attorney fees. Simply request a change-of-beneficiary form from your plan administrator. When you have finished, please return the form to your plan administrator and notify The River School. We can also assist you with the proper language for your beneficiary designation to The River School.

Customized Language

If you or your attorney would like The River School to provide you with customized beneficiary language that is specific to your goal and interest, please contact us.

What Is a Bequest?

A bequest is a gift made through your will or living trust – can be the easiest gift to make to The River School because it costs you nothing during your lifetime. Plus, it’s “revocable,” so you can update or change it if circumstances change. If you already have a will or living trust, you can amend it to include a bequest to The River School with a simple codicil. Download a typical sample codicil here.

Typical Donor Profile

Bequests are one of the easiest and most popular gift plans. This plan can fit any prospect: single, married, child-free or multi-generational, wealthy or not. Often a bequest is simply a set amount or percentage of an estate set aside to make a gift to
The The River School. Do you already have a will and do not want to pay your attorney to change it? In most states a donor can execute a simple codicil (or will addition) to make the gift in a cost-effective manner.