I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to Berea College, located in Berea, Kentucky, (the sum of $___) or (___ percent of my estate) or (specific items of property) or (the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate). This gift may be used to further the educational objectives of Berea College in such a manner as the Board of Trustees of the College may direct.

Designating a percentage of the residue of your estate (the part left over after specific bequests are made) has the benefit of allowing you to allocate appropriate fractions of your estate in advance while allowing for changes in the overall size of your estate. This can help simplify your future planning by making it unnecessary to change your Will if during your lifetime it becomes necessary to dispose of certain property specifically mentioned in your will.

Gifts for Specific Purpose
If you have a special interest in a specific program or need at Berea College—such as scholarships, labor grants, the library, or an academic department—you can modify the language in your Will to direct the College in your wishes. Restricted bequests must be phrased more carefully to ensure their purposes are achieved, so it is important that you or your attorney consult the Office of Gift Planning in advance to discuss the particular designation you have in mind. Because the passage of time may cause some of the College’s needs to change, we also recommend that any such restrictions be stated broadly or with alternatives to allow for changes that cannot be anticipated. Suggested language you and your attorney might use:

Gift for Specific Purpose - Restricted
I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to Berea College, located in Berea, Kentucky, (the sum of $___) or (___ percent of my estate) or (specific items of property) or (the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate) to be added to its endowment, and the net income from which shall be used for (insert designation).

Gift for Specific Purpose - Discretionary
I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to Berea College, located in Berea, Kentucky, (the sum of $___) or (___ percent of my estate) or (specific items of property) or (the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate) to be added to its endowment, and the net income from which shall be used for (insert designation). If in the opinion of the College’s Board of Trustees the purposes of the College would be better served by using the income or principal, or both, for the College’s general purposes, the income or principal, or both, may so be used.

Other Options for Your Will or Bequest
Your Will can also allocate assets to a trust, which provides income to a beneficiary for that individual’s lifetime, then distributes the assets to Berea College. Without drawing up a new Will, simply adding a codicil to an existing Will can provide a bequest. It is always advisable to contact the Office of Gift Planning when specific, restricted uses for a gift or bequest are anticipated. And always consult your attorney and your financial advisor.

The following examples provide more illustrative language for you and your attorney to consider when drafting your estate plans and Will. The provisions in your Will for making a gift to Berea College will depend upon the type of gift, state law and your unique circumstances. We hope these specimen provisions will be helpful to you and your attorney.

Items that are [bracketed] are to be modified by you and your attorney.

Specific Legacy
I bequeath my [art collection], consisting of [paintings and sculptures], to Berea College, Berea, Kentucky.

Gift of Residuary Estate
I devise and bequeath the residue of the property owned by me at my death, real and personal and wherever situate, to Berea College, Berea, Kentucky, for its general purposes.

Contingent Gift of Residuary Estate
I devise and bequeath the residue of the property owned by me at my death, real and personal and wherever situate, to [my wife/husband], if [she/he] survives me. If my [my wife/husband], does not survive me, I devise and bequeath my residuary estate to Berea College, Berea, Kentucky, for its general purposes.

Amount of Gift Dependent on Size of Estate
I bequeath the sum of [________Dollars ($_________)] or [____%] of my adjusted gross estate as finally determined for federal estate tax purposes, whichever is the lesser, to Berea College, Berea, Kentucky, for its general purposes.

Direction that Gift to Berea College be Free of Taxes
I direct that no estate or inheritance taxes be paid from the share of any property devised or bequeathed to Berea College.

Provision Providing for Payment of Binding Pledge as a Debt
I direct my executor to pay, as a debt of my estate, to Berea College, Berea, Kentucky, any balance which is due or will become due under the terms of any pledge or pledges made by me during my lifetime.

Provision Providing for Payment of Non-Binding Pledge as a Bequest
On [date of revocable pledge] I made a revocable pledge (not binding upon my estate) to Berea College of [________Dollars ($_________)]. I bequeath the sum of [________Dollars ($_________)] minus the amount of any charitable gifts I may have made to Berea College from [date of revocable pledge] until the date of my death.

Note: The donor should keep records to enable his or her executor to ascertain the amount of any outright gifts made to the charity from the date of the pledge to the date of death.