Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 (CAA) and Your Support

How Will You Leave Your Legacy?

A legacy gift enables you to support Union College, 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 Union College in your will or trust, naming the school 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 Union College 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.

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Ramée Circle

When you make a gift to Union College from your will or trust, you'll be welcomed into Ramée Circle and join other supporters and friends of our important mission. Is Union College already in your plans? Please let us know so we can properly thank you and make sure your gift will be used as you've intended.

Join Now Ramée Circle History Meet the Tri-Chairs Ramée Circle Members

If you've already included Union in your plans, please let us know so we can properly thank you and make sure your gift will be used as you've intended.

The Ramée Circle: A Brief History

Ramée Circle

In 1978, C. Malcolm "Dusty" Rhoades '35 thoughtfully included his alma mater in his will and estate planning. With this gift, the Ramée Circle launched a new era for planned giving at Union.

Today, Union remains grateful when our loyal alumni continue the tradition of Dusty Rhoades.

In fiscal year 2021-2022, new commitments and 69 realized bequests helped the Ramée Circle grow to nearly $16,647,488. The Ramée Circle is named in honor of Joseph-Jacques Ramée - the architect whose designs made Union the first planned American campus.

Meet the Ramée Circle Society Tri-Chairs

Our Tri-Chairs understand how planned gifts can benefit Union’s unrestricted budget, scholarships, athletics, individual departments—almost anything you can name. They have included bequests to Union in their wills.
—Steven Jo, Senior Director of Leadership Giving

Cliff Mastrangelo

Cliff Mastrangelo ’63 

Cliff “learned to learn at Union”—which served him well in life and a long management career, mostly at New Jersey Bell.

“I made a planned gift as a thank-you to the past individuals who generously supported Union, an investment in our future leaders, and a means of ensuring Union’s continued place in education’s top echelons,” Cliff said.

Tim McCabe

Tim McCabe ’73

During 16 years on the Board of Trustees, Tim McCabe saw how crucial planned gifts are to Union’s financial health.

The longtime AT&T employee made a planned gift in appreciation of Union’s offering him financial aid as a student: “I have a debt to repay, but we all do. Like those before us who made our Union education possible, I’d urge you to give back with a planned gift.”

Madeline Berger

Madeline Berger ’79

Madeline came to understand and appreciate the relationship between technology and the social sciences during a political science data research project at Union her freshman year. Later, at ESPN, Qualcomm and Google, she devised ways to deliver TV content via evolving technology.

“I realize Union’s impact on making me the person I am and the career I had,” Madeline said of her gift. “I sleep better at night knowing that my wishes are documented in a way meaningful to me and consistent with Union’s mission to prepare leaders for the future.”

How to Give

Not only do you have options for how your gift 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.

Gifts From Your Will
General Bequest

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.

Beneficiary Gifts
Retirement Accounts

Naming Union College 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.

Gifts of Stock
Appreciated Stock

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

Charitable IRA Rollover
Charitable IRA Rollover

If you're 70 ½ or older, you can make a gift directly from your IRA to Union . 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.

Donor Advised Funds
Beneficiary Designation and Grants

Designate Union 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.

Gifts of Life Insurance
Beneficiary Designation and Paid-Up Policies

Name Union College 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 Union College as the owner and beneficiary.

Gifts Through Trusts

Charitable Remainder Trusts provide you income from an asset that then passes to Union College as a gift. Charitable Lead Trusts provide income to Union College before the asset passes to your heirs. For the savvy donor, charitable trusts can provide tax-advantaged income, eliminate capital gains, or preserve assets for your heirs.

Gifts That Pay You
Charitable Gift Annuity

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

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.

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.

  • Donor mccabe

    Tim McCabe ’73 honors his time at Union with a gift in his will

    Read Story

  • Donor Ketting

    Regina and Jaap Ketting parents of Class of 2021 graduate Juliana

    Read Story

  • Donor Brooks

    Rev. Dr. Victoria J. "Viki" Brooks gives with gratitude

    Read Story

  • Donor Milo

    Joanne Milo '76 is helping students pay for their education through a gift in her trust.

    Read Story

  • Donor Thurston Family

    Prof. Thurston gives endowed chair for Asian Studies

    Read Story

  • Carl George

    Carl George, Ph.D., challenged his students' academic experiences and encouraged exposure to the new and unfamilia.

    Read Story

  • B-24 Bomber pilot Robert M. Fuller '49 circa 1944 in England shortly before his sortie to the German front.

    B-24 Bomber pilot Robert M. Fuller '49 circa 1944 in England shortly before his sortie to the German front.

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  • Donor Savard Family

    Drs. Pete Savard '93 & Moitri Chowdhury Savard make his alma mater part of their family's legacy.

    Read Story

  • Donor Savard Family

    Dr. David Falk '39 never forgot that when he was out of money during his junior year in 1938, Union found a way

    Read Story

  • Donor Mastrangelo Family

    Cliff Mastrangelo '63 gives in honor of his late son Christopher (pictured) who was also an alumnus of the College.

    Read Story

Contact Us

Use the Form Below to Get In Touch with One of Our Planned Giving Officers.

Let us know how we can help you include Union College in your estate plans. Discussing your charitable intentions with us can lead to a much better result than going it alone - and will ensure that your gift is used just as you wish.

Contact a Gift Officer

Steven Jo

Steven Jo
Director of Gift Planning

jos@union.edu
518-388-6156