Planned Giving

How will you leave a legacy?

Learn how leaving a legacy with Lehigh University can help support the causes you care about while continuing to meet your current financial needs.

Notes from the 2024 Tower Society Annual Meeting

Reach Your Philanthropic and Financial Goals with Planned Giving

A legacy gift enables you to support Lehigh University, secures the financial needs of your loved ones, and provides you with tax benefits. Legacy gifts of all sizes combine to help us meet our current goals and reach further into the future.

By including Lehigh University in your will or trust, naming Lehigh as a beneficiary of all or part of a life insurance policy, or taking advantage of other giving opportunities, you can preserve your assets now and support Lehigh for years to come. Your gift will have a real, lasting impact.

Let us help you make the gift that's right for you.

Request a confidential, no-obligation conversation to get started.

Get in touch with us

Join the Tower Society

When you make a gift to Lehigh University from your will or trust, you will be welcomed into the Tower Society and join other benefactors and friends of our important mission. Is Lehigh University already in your plans? Please let us know so we can properly thank you and make sure your gift will be used as you have intended.

How to Give

Not only do you have options for how your gift to Lehigh University will be used, you also have options on what to give and how to give. There are gifts that cost you nothing now, gifts that pay you income, and gifts that allow you to decide what happens when.

General Bequest

Gifts From Your Will

Through a provision in your written and executed will, you can make a gift in the form of cash, securities, real estate or personal property. There are many types of bequests. Choose the one that best fits your needs and intentions.

View Bequest Language >
Charitable Gift Annuity

Gifts That Pay You

You can turn underperforming assets (stock, cash in a savings account, CDs, savings bonds, etc.) into a gift to Lehigh that provides income to you. Your Charitable Gift Annuity will give you monthly, fixed payments for life and tax benefits, too.

View CGA Information >
Donor-Advised Funds

Beneficiary Designation and Grants

Designate Lehigh as a beneficiary to receive all or a portion of the balance of your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) through your fund administrator. You also can make a grant to us at any time from your donor-advised fund.

Learn More about DAFs >
Charitable IRA Rollover

Charitable IRA Rollover

If you're 70 ½ or older, you can make a gift directly from your IRA to Lehigh. While there is no charitable deduction for a rollover gift, you do avoid the income tax on the donated portion of your required minimum distribution.

View IRA Rollover Information >
Gifts of Life Insurance

Beneficiary Designation and Paid-Up Policies

Name Lehigh University as the beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy; donate an existing, paid-up life insurance policy you no longer need, or purchase a new life insurance policy and name Lehigh University as the owner and beneficiary.

Learn More about Life Insurance >
Gifts of Property

Real Estate and Other Valuables

Like stock, the fair market value of gifts of appreciated assets such as real estate, artwork, and other well curated collections, can be deducted from your income tax today and reduce your estate taxes in the future.

View Real Estate Gift Information >
Beneficiary Gifts

Retirement Accounts

Naming Lehigh University as the beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan asset such as a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Keogh, profit-sharing pension plan or other donor-advised funds, will accomplish a charitable goal while realizing significant tax savings.

View Beneficiary Gifts >
Gifts of Stock

Appreciated Stock

When you donate appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares instead of cash, you will receive charitable deductions at full, fair market value while reducing capital gains impact.

View Stock Transfer Information >
Other Options

Other Planned Giving Vehicles

There are many other ways to support Lehigh University through a planned giving vehicle. Charitable Gift Annuities, Charitable Trusts, Life Insurance and more may be good options for you. We can show you creative ways to use your assets to benefit Lehigh University, while at the same time preserving the benefits of those assets for you and your family.

Contact Us to Discuss Your Options >
Endowments

Endowments

The Endowment serves as a key source of funding to the University each year, providing for scholarships, academic programs, and faculty endowed chairs.

Learn More About Endowments in a new window >
Family Philanthropy

Lehigh Family Philanthropy

We are excited to offer Lehigh’s many multi-generational families and others educational programs and activities that illuminate opportunities for meaningful family conversations about values, wealth, and philanthropy. Partnering with leading experts, we will share tools for family communication, philanthropic vision, legacy planning, succession and education. Join our mailing list to receive relevant articles a few times per year and invitations to special events about Family Philanthropy.

Meet Our Donors

Donors just like you have made a real impact just by adding a few words to their will or using one of the many giving options available.

Let’s get in touch

Lorraine Wiedorn ’84G ’13P ’17P

Lorraine Wiedorn ’84G ’13P ’17P

Assistant Vice President Planned Giving and Family Philanthropy

lms1@lehigh.edu

(610) 758-4874

Carl F. Henzelman III ’82

Carl F. Henzelman III ’82

Sr. Director of Planned Giving

cfh207@lehigh.edu

(610) 758-5520

Victoria Penske Aitchison ’92 ’20P ’26P

Victoria Penske Aitchison ’92 ’20P ’26P

Director of Parent & Family Giving

vpa@lehigh.edu

(610) 758-5142

Molly K. Driscoll

Molly K. Driscoll

Associate Director, Planned Giving

mkk322@lehigh.edu

(610) 758-4974

Kimberly Hansen

Kimberly Hansen

Coordinator, Planned Giving

kasb16@lehigh.edu

(610) 758-4749

Ashleigh Robinson

Ashleigh Robinson

Development Associate

amr215@lehigh.edu

(610) 758-1329


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  • Lehigh University Development & Alumni Relations

    intower@lehigh.edu

    (610) 758-4749

    306 S. New Street, Suite 500

    Bethlehem, PA 18015

  • For Professional Advisors

    If you are working with a professional advisor, or advising a donor, here's a practical guide for including in a charitable estate plan.

    Download Advisor Guide