Lake Superior State University
Lake Superior State University
 

Giving Through Bequests in Wills & Living Trusts

What is a bequest? A bequest is a gift to someone or some beloved charity using a will or a living trust. Bequests, as a your final gift to LSSU, insures the scholarships or programs that you supported through your lifetime are carried on. What could I leave to the University? Most LSSU alums and friends leave cash, securities, real estate, or other items that can be used to educate students and further the mission of the University. Can I designate my gift? Yes, you can designate your gift to your endowed scholarship or your favorite University program. You may also leave that decision to the University to place your gift where it is needed the most. How much should I bequeath? The amount is entirely up to you, but just to let you know …

  • an endowed professorship requires $1.5 million donation which will forever bring the highest quality professor to the University to the program you want.
  • an endowed scholarship which would provide a student a ¼ tuition scholarship forever requires a current donation of $25,000.
  • currently the cost of education including tuition and fees for the 2002-2003 academic years is $9,600. (one of the lowest in Michigan)
  • a gift of $2,000 would support LSSU providing a teacher to a class or a University program director for one week.
  • a gift of $500 would provide a student with books for a school year.
  • a gift of $75 provides a book to the library.
What are the provisions I write in my will or living trust? For a gift of an entire estate:

“I give and devise to the LSSU Foundation, a Michigan non-profit corporation my entire estate for the use and the advancement of mission of Lake Superior State University,

(Select one of the following clauses either [a] or [b])

  1. to be used for the benefit of (list University program or scholarship). Or
  2. to be used for University purposes as directed by the LSSU Foundation.


For a gift that is a portion of an estate:

“I give and devise to the LSSU Foundation, a Michigan non-profit corporation the following for the use and the advancement of mission of Lake Superior State University:

  1. ______% of my estate
  2. $_______ (specific amount)
  3. the following property: (description of stocks, securities, real estate, or other item for educational purpose)

for the following purpose:
(Select one of the following clauses either [a] or [b])

  1. to be used for the benefit of (list University program or scholarship). Or
  2. to be used for University purposes as directed by the LSSU Foundation.


Please contact the LSSU Foundation about your bequest.

People who declare their bequest become members of The LSSU Legacy Society, the highest recognition society of the University.

It is very important to contact your legal representatives when making a bequest to the University.

This information is provided here solely for educational purposes and is not legal advice. Bequest language varies for state to state and country to country. Consult your legal representatives!

Have you reviewed your will in the last five years? Please remember your family and LSSU in your estate plans.

For more information on this and other estate options contact the LSSU Foundation at foundation@lssu.edu.

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