Planned Gifts and Estate Planning

Estate planning is a way for you to be intentional with the impact of your estate’s assets. You can make a difference in many students’ futures and leave a lasting legacy through a planned estate gift to Grand Canyon University. There are several forms of planned gifts which you can create including wills or living trusts, life insurance, retirement assets and securities. Any one of these gifts will not only continue your provision to the university for many years to come, but it will also protect the financial needs of your family for life.

Charitable Bequest

A charitable bequest is a simple way to support GCU for years to come through your will or living trust.

This charitable vehicle allows you to leave a specific amount of money, a gift contingent upon particular events, a percentage of your estate or a specific item. This option may reduce your estate tax.*

Charitable Beneficiary Designation

Through a beneficiary designation you may choose to leave GCU assets such as life insurance policies and retirement plans. This is simply done by filling out a form that is independent of your will. This option may reduce your estate tax.*

Charitable Gift Annuity

Using a charitable gift annuity (CGA) allows you to receive fixed payments for life while supporting GCU’s mission. If you are younger than 60, you may also utilize the deferred option which delays your payments until a later date such as retirement. This option may allow you to take a partial immediate income tax charitable deduction when funded, as well as reduction or elimination of capital gains tax should you fund the CGA with stock or property.*

Charitable Lead Trust

With a charitable lead trust, the income from the trust benefits GCU until the end of the trust at which time the remaining assets are distributed to select beneficiaries. Two types of charitable lead trusts exist, the charitable lead annuity trust and the charitable lead unitrust. The charitable lead annuity trust pays a fixed amount to GCU annually and the charitable lead unitrust pays a variable amount based on the value of the trust’s assets. This option may reduce your estate or gift tax.*

Charitable Remainder Trust

With a charitable remainder trust, the income from the trust benefits select beneficiaries until the end of the trust at which time the remaining assets will be distributed to GCU. Two types of charitable remainder trusts exist, the charitable remainder annuity trust and the charitable remainder unitrust.  The charitable remainder annuity pays you a fixed amount annually and the charitable remainder unitrust pays you a variable amount based on the value of the trust’s assets. This option may allow you to take an immediate income tax charitable deduction when funded.*

Please notify us if you have included GCU in any of your estate planning so we can welcome you as a new member of The Eternal Flame. Letting us know your plans allows us to properly record your intention for your gift and provide recognition that will inspire others to follow your lead in supporting GCU in this way.