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Leaving a Legacy
By Dave Miedema
Webster’s dictionary defines legacy as “something received from
an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.” I suggest this
definition could also include “the principles and ideals of a
thoughtful individual that are carried forward and beneficially
impact future generations.”
We are all about building a greater University of North
Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and those who
have chosen to “leave their legacy” through an estate plan gift
have certainly helped fulfill this noble mission.
A gift provision in your will or trust to the UND Foundation
will benefit the students, faculty, programs, and infrastructure
of tomorrow’s UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences
and is a gift that will live forever—a true legacy.
Statistics show that nearly two-thirds of Americans do not
have a will. Do you have one As we begin a new year, it is a
good time to begin planning for the future, including having a
properly executed will. A will is an easy way to leave a lasting
impact on the people, projects, and causes that are important to
you. Making a gift in your will (also called a bequest) benefits
those following in your footsteps who will one day provide high
quality medical care to their patients—just as you have done
throughout your career.
How could your bequest impact the School of Medicine
and Health Sciences Here are a few examples:
● Fund scholarships for high-achieving and aspiring
medical professionals.
● Create or sustain top-notch academic programs.
● Provide discretionary resources to help meet the
most pressing needs of the School.
● Help recruit and retain high quality faculty and researchers.
A bequest written into your will, directing a gift to the
University of North Dakota Foundation, enables you to retain
lifetime control of your assets and, ultimately, continue your
support of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Where do you begin We recommend you first consult with
your professional advisor to ensure your bequest intent will be
properly structured within your will or trust. Your testamentary
gift may involve a specific dollar amount, percentage of your estate,
specific asset, or residue of your estate. Such a bequest may benefit
an SMHS department or project of your choice, or a charitable
income arrangement for the benefit of surviving loved ones.
Here is an example of a specific dollar-amount bequest:
“I give, devise and bequeath to the University of North Dakota
Foundation, 3501 University Avenue, Stop 8157, Grand Forks,
North Dakota 58202-8157, a non-profit charitable corporation
under the laws of the State of North Dakota (TIN 45-0348296)
the sum of $___________ to benefit the School of Medicine and
Health Sciences by [e. g., establishing a named endowment,
benefiting a specific department or project within the SMHS,
adding to the Dean’s Scholarship Endowment or funding a
charitable income arrangement].”
Always feel welcome to contact us for additional general
bequest information, for other recommended bequest language,
or to discuss how you would want your gift to specifically
benefit the SMHS. We also encourage you to notify us of estate
plans you may have already made to benefit the SMHS, both to
document your intent and to ensure your bequest will be
used as you have indicated.
For additional information on how to
best structure your bequest or gift to
benefit the School of Medicine and
Health Sciences, please contact:
Dave Miedema,
Director of Development
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
UND Foundation
davem@undfoundation.org
(701) 777-4933
(800) 543-8764
36 NORTH DAKOTA MEDICINE Holiday 2012