Planned Giving

Generation after generation, the alumni of of Texas Southern University demonstrate that the future can be shaped through the power of action. A gift in your estate plans is a powerful way to open doors of opportunity to future generations and to make an impact on the University and community for years to come. You can join with other alumni and friends in this important cause.

Choosing the right planned gift depends on your personal circumstances and financial goals.

Bequests And Estate Plan Gifts

You may make a bequest or gift through your estate by including a provision in your will or living trust, or by naming Texas Southern University as a beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy. The amount left to the university (or any charity) can be expressed as a dollar amount or as a percentage of the assets to be given.

Left Income Gifts

A life income gift allows you to give assets to Texas Southern University while providing yourself or others with income for a period of time before Texas Southern University is permitted to use your gift. You may make a life income gift by transferring securities, cash, or other property to Texas Southern University or a trustee. The university or trustee then manages the investment of the assets and pays an income to you, your designated beneficiaries, or both. Income payments continue for the beneficiaries’ lives or, in some cases, for a term of up to 20 years.

There are several kinds of life income gifts available at Texas Southern University:

Charitable Gift Annuities

In exchange for an outright gift, Texas Southern University agrees by contract to pay a fixed amount each year to you and/or another beneficiary for life.

Charitable Remainder Unitrusts

You establish a trust from which you and/or other beneficiaries receive variable annual payments for life and/or a term of years. At the end of the term, the remainder of the trust assets go to Texas Southern University for the purposes you designate.

Charitable Remainder Annuity Trusts

You establish a trust from which you and/or other beneficiaries receive annual payments of a fixed dollar amount for life and/or a term of years, after which the remainder of the trust assets pass to Texas Southern University for the purposes you designate.

Pooled Income Funds

Your gift goes into an investment pool that functions like a mutual fund. Investment returns are paid to you and/or other beneficiaries for life, after which your gift is withdrawn and used to support your designated purpose at Texas Southern University.

Charitable Lead Trusts

A charitable lead trust makes an annual payment to Texas Southern University for a period of years, and at the end of the term, the remaining assets go to your children or another beneficiary.

Donor-Advised Funds

A donor-advised fund allows you to make a tax-deductible gift to Texas Southern University to establish a fund today, and later advise the university on how you would like the gift used. At least half of the gift must be designated to Texas Southern University, and the rest may support other charities.

Legacy gifts play a vital role in fulfilling the priorities of Texas Southern University. Although there are many opportunities for funding endowment and capital needs, the following are the most urgent and compelling needs in relation to our top five priorities of the University. When planning your gift, we request that you please consider supporting these efforts.

1. Enhancing the Undergraduate Experience through supporting matching and endowed scholarships, expanding student academic success programs, and enhancing student life on campus

• The matching scholarships are four-year scholarships for the continued support of students who maintain the required GPA of 3.0. The endowed scholarships are in perpetuity.
• Student Academic Success Programs include special programming for freshmen as well as college-based support for students in their majors.
• Student life enhancements include support for a new learning resource center/library; upgrading of student facilities, including key athletics facilities; and increased support for leadership training and preparation.

2. Discovering Real-World Solutions through the funding of research and academic programs in areas key to urban success such as transportation, environmental, health sciences/pharmacy, and space.

• The support for academic programs that are also key to urban success includes the new civil engineering program, the new electrical and computer engineering program, communications, education, law, and international business.
• Texas Southern University also offers a number of programs unique to the region, including aviation sciences, maritime transportation management, urban planning, entertainment management, sports management, and emergency management, and homeland security.

3. Creating an Urban Renaissance through the funding of community outreach programs, arts improvement and outreach, and funding of programs to adopt feeder schools to create a pipeline of students to TSU.

4. Fostering an Entrepreneurial Spirit through funding the expansion of the entrepreneurial program in the School of Business, as well as entrepreneurial activities across the curriculum particularly in STEM fields and the University’s new Engineering programs, and providing scholarships specifically for students to participate in these unique programs.

Join Us

If you have already included Texas Southern University in your estate plans, please let us know so we can thank you for your generosity, make sure the purpose of your gift is understood by the University.

Interested in helping Texas Southern University with our mission but feel overwhelmed by the thought of writing another check or giving up your assets today? A simple, flexible, and versatile way to ensure we can continue our work for years to come is a gift in your will or living trust, known as a charitable bequest.
By including a bequest to TSU in your will or living trust, you are ensuring that we can continue our mission for years to come. Your gift also entitles your estate to an unlimited federal estate tax charitable deduction.

Check Out This Potential Scenario

When Tyrell and Monique got married, they made a point to put together a will to protect their assets. They both loved TSU and decided to include a bequest of $75,000 to us in their will. As Tyrell and Monique’s family grew to include three children, they decided to revise their gift to ensure their children’s future financial security. They met with their attorney and simply revised the bequest language so that their gift to TSU was now a percentage of their estate instead of a specific amount. Tyrell and Monique now rest easy knowing when they die, their plans will provide for the people and charitable work they love.

See How it Works

Nest Steps

• Contact Louis Edwards at 713-313-6747 or Jeffrey Shaw at 713-313-4257 for additional information on bequests or to chat more about the different options for including TSU in your will or estate plan.
• Seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor.
• If you include TSU in your plans, please use our legal name and Federal Tax ID
  • Legal Name: Texas Southern University Address: 3100 Cleburne Street, Houston, TX 77004
  • Federal Tax ID Number: 74-6001391

The following includes several examples of suggested bequest wording to benefit Texas Southern University. Each individual situation is unique and, therefore, these examples include only some of the possible gift opportunities. We encourage donors to talk to their legal or tax counsel and to share their final will provision with Texas Southern University to ensure that their wishes will be properly followed and recognized.

Percentage of an estate for unrestricted purposes

I give, devise, and bequeath to Texas Southern University, a non-profit organization located in Houston, Texas, _____ percent (%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate as an unrestricted gift to be used at the discretion of the Board of Regents of Texas Southern University for the general purposes of Texas Southern University, located in Houston, Texas.

Percentage of an estate for specific purposes with an endowment

I give, devise, and bequeath to Texas Southern University, a non-profit organization located in Houston, Texas, _____ percent (%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to establish the ____________________ENDOWED FUND. The principal of this Fund shall be invested as part of Texas Southern University’s permanent endowment and in accordance with its policies. The income therefrom is to be used by Texas Southern University, located in Houston, Texas, for____________________________________. Contributions may be added to the Fund at any time. If changed circumstances should at some future time make it impractical to continue using the income from the Fund for the purpose designated, then the Texas Southern University Board of Regents may re-designate the purpose for which the Fund’s income may be distributed, provided that the Fund shall continue to bear the name ________________ ENDOWED FUND, and that the amended terms shall adhere as closely as possible to my original intent.

Specific amount for unrestricted purposes

I give, devise, and bequeath to Texas Southern University, a non-profit organization located in Houston, Texas, the sum of $_______ in cash or in-kind (or ________ shares of ________stock) to be used at the discretion of the Board of Regents of Texas Southern University for the general purposes of Texas Southern University and its related entities. Specific amount for specific purposes I give, devise, and bequeath to Texas Southern University, a non-profit organization located in Houston, Texas, the sum of $_______ in cash or in-kind (or ________ shares of ________stock) to be used for __________________________________________ at Texas Southern University.

If changed circumstances should at some future time make it impractical to continue using the income from the Fund for the purpose designated, then the Texas Southern University Board of Regents may re-designate the purpose to adhere as closely as possible to my original intent.

*The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes include federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results.

Beneficiary Designation

Passionate about supporting Texas Southern University with our mission even after your lifetime? It’s not only possible, it’s easy to do with a beneficiary designation. Just name TSU as a beneficiary to receive assets such as retirement plans and life insurance policies after you’re gone. You simply fill out a form that is entirely separate from your will—which makes this approach an easy way to give. Not only is it an easy way to give, but it’s also flexible—you aren’t locked into the choices you make today. You can review and adjust beneficiary designations anytime you want.

Check Out This Potential Scenario

Robert and Carol treasure the financial help they’ve been able to give their children and TSU over the years. Now that their kids are grown, Robert and Carol changed their estate plan so it could work harder for the people and causes they love. The couple updated their will to leave stocks and real estate to their kids. And they left us a $75,000 IRA to be transferred after their death. Because TSU is tax-exempt, all $75,000 will help support our mission.

If Robert and Carol had left the IRA to their children, approximately $21,000* would have gone to pay federal income taxes—leaving only $54,000 for their family’s use. Robert and Carol are happy knowing they are making the most of their hard-earned money thanks to their updated estate plan.

See How it Works

Nest Steps

• Contact Louis Edwards at 713-313-6747 or Jeffrey Shaw at 713-313-4257 for additional information on bequests or to chat more about the different options for including TSU in your will or estate plan.
• Seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor.
• If you include TSU in your plans, please use our legal name and Federal Tax ID
  • Legal Name: Texas Southern University Address: 3100 Cleburne Street, Houston, TX 77004
  • Federal Tax ID Number: 74-6001391

Looking for a way to give TSU a significant gift? If you have built up a sizeable estate and are also looking for ways to receive reliable payments, you may want to check out the advantages of setting up a charitable remainder trust.

Benefits of a charitable remainder trust include:

• A partial charitable income tax deduction
• Student Academic Success Programs include special programming for freshmen as well as college-based support for students in their majors.
• Potential for increased income
• Up-front capital gains tax avoidance

There are two ways to receive payments with charitable remainder trusts:

The annuity trust pays you, each year, the same dollar amount you choose at the start. Your payments stay the same, regardless of fluctuations in trust investments.

The unitrust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. The amount of your payments is redetermined annually. If the value of the trust increases, so do your payments. If the value decreases, however, so will your payments.

Check Out This Potential Scenario

Susan, 60, wants to make a gift to TSU but would also like more income in the future. Susan creates a charitable remainder unitrust with annual lifetime payments to her equal to 6 percent of the fair market value of the trust assets as revalued annually. She funds the trust with assets valued at $250,000. Susan receives $15,000 the first year from the trust.

Subsequent payment amounts vary each year depending on the annual valuations of the trust assets. She is eligible for a federal income tax charitable deduction of $81,305* in the year she creates and funds the trust. This deduction saves Susan $22,765 in her 28 percent tax bracket. *Based on annual payments and a 2.4 percent charitable midterm federal rate. Deductions vary based on income earned.

Learn How to Fund It

You can use the following assets to fund a charitable remainder trust:

• Cash
• Appreciated Securities
• Closely Held Stock
• Retirement Plan Assets
• Tangible Personal Property

Calculate Your Benefits

Submit a few details and see how a charitable remainder trust can benefit you.

If you have a loved one who has been impacted by Texas Southern University, establishing a memorial or tribute gift is a meaningful way to honor your loved one or celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday while supporting the work of our mission. Your memorial or tribute gift will be a lasting tribute to your loved one and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Check Out This Potential Scenario

When Sarah’s father passed away, she knew she wanted to do something that would establish a lasting legacy for him. She remembered that during his lifetime he was always praising TSU for its tireless efforts to better his community. So Sarah decided to make a gift to TSU in her father’s name using appreciated securities. Not only will her father’s legacy live on at TSU thanks to the gift and a commemorative plaque, but Sarah also received a federal income tax charitable deduction and eliminated capital gains tax on the securities.

Learn How to Fund It

You can use the following assets to fund a charitable remainder trust:

• Cash
• Appreciated Securities
• Closely Held Stock
• Retirement Plan Assets
• Tangible Personal Property

Calculate Your Benefits

Submit a few details and see how a charitable remainder trust can benefit you.

Nest Steps

• Contact Louis Edwards at 713-313-6747 or Jeffrey Shaw at 713-313-4257 for additional information on bequests or to chat more about the different options for including TSU in your will or estate plan.
• Seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor.
• If you include TSU in your plans, please use our legal name and Federal Tax ID
  • Legal Name: Texas Southern University Address: 3100 Cleburne Street, Houston, TX 77004
  • Federal Tax ID Number: 74-6001391

You have the power to help safeguard the future of Texas Southern University. How? By making an endowed gift. Your gift is an investment in our future, helping us grow and thrive for years to come.

Learn How to Fund It

You can use the following assets to fund a charitable remainder trust:

• Cash
• Appreciated Securities
• Closely Held Stock
• Retirement Plan Assets
• Tangible Personal Property

Nest Steps

• Contact Louis Edwards at 713-313-6747 or Jeffrey Shaw at 713-313-4257 for additional information on bequests or to chat more about the different options for including TSU in your will or estate plan.
• Seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor.
• If you include TSU in your plans, please use our legal name and Federal Tax ID
  • Legal Name: Texas Southern University Address: 3100 Cleburne Street, Houston, TX 77004
  • Federal Tax ID Number: 74-6001391

The Blended Gift and the Power of Leverage

It is easy to contribute to your class endowment or even create your own endowment through the power of a “blended gift." By combining an outright contribution with a planned gift, such as a charitable bequest in your will, you can “leverage" your giving.

This allows you the opportunity of creating an endowment now (in your name or in honor or memory of a loved one) and experiencing the joy of witnessing how it benefits others during your lifetime. In fact, with proper planning, you can even leverage your gift up to “three" times your original contribution.

For example, you wish to currently create a scholarship endowment for $20,000. You can initiate its funding with an outright gift of $10,000 or by signing a four-year pledge to give $2,500 a year over four years.

1. Leverage One: Document that you have provided for the scholarship endowment in your bequest (or other planned gift) for the remaining $10,000. Your notification will entitle you to an invitation to join the Heman Sweatt Legacy Society.
2. Leverage Two: Participate in your company’s matching gift program. These are grants your employer makes to match your charitable contribution. By taking advantage of your company’s matching gift benefit, you may be able to double or even triple the amount of a contribution.
3. Leverage Three: For as long as the University has access to its matching pool of funds, your endowment gift will be matched dollar for dollar by TSU (after your $10,000 gift is paid outright or your pledge is completed in four years)

Then, you can enjoy the benefits of creating an endowment during your lifetime, which honors your family or a loved one.

Please contact Louis Edwards at 713-313-6747 or Jeffrey Shaw at 713-313-4257 for more information on this powerful way to realize your charitable gift intentions.

Donor-Advised Funds

Are you looking for an easy, cost-effective way to support Texas Southern University and other causes you love? A donor-advised fund, which is like a charitable savings account, maybe the right choice for you.

How it works:

You transfer cash or other assets to a tax-exempt sponsoring organization such as a public foundation. You can then recommend—but not direct—how much and how often money is granted to TSU or other charities. Also you avoid the cost and complexities of managing a private foundation.

What do you receive in return:

An immediate federal income tax charitable deduction at the time you contribute to the account, and the power to make recommendations on which charities to support whenever you want. You centralize your giving and record-keeping in one location. And maybe best of all, you can start a legacy of giving by letting your children help decide which grants to recommend.

The unitrust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. The amount of your payments is redetermined annually. If the value of the trust increases, so do your payments. If the value decreases, however, so will your payments.

Check Out This Potential Scenario

Joe and Laura want to give back to their hometown by putting their money where it will do the most good. They establish a $25,000 donor-advised fund with a community foundation. The couple receives a federal income tax charitable deduction for the amount of the gift. They also get all the time they need to decide which charities to support. After researching community needs with the foundation’s staff, Joe and Laura recommend grants for TSU (which they’ve supported for years) and The Parish School. The foundation presents the charities with checks from the Megan Fund, which Joe and Laura named in honor of their granddaughter. Joe and Laura are delighted to start this personal legacy of giving.

Learn How to Fund It

You can use the following assets to fund a charitable remainder trust:

• Cash
• Appreciated Securities
• Closely Held Stock
• Retirement Plan Assets

Nest Steps

• Contact Louis Edwards at 713-313-6747 or Jeffrey Shaw at 713-313-4257 for additional information on bequests or to chat more about the different options for including TSU in your will or estate plan.
• Seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor.
• If you include TSU in your plans, please use our legal name and Federal Tax ID
  • Legal Name: Texas Southern University Address: 3100 Cleburne Street, Houston, TX 77004
  • Federal Tax ID Number: 74-6001391