Transferring property to the University and individuals you wish to benefit is not always an either/or proposition. With careful planning, you may be able to arrange your transfers to accomplish more than one objective. For example, if you have assets that are appreciating, children who may want to start a business in the future, and a desire to assist the University, you may wish to consider creating a charitable lead trust. Such an arrangement would allow you to benefit the University—until your children are ready and able to step out on their own—while minimizing any potential transfer taxes.
Under the nongrantor plan, you irrevocably transfer assets to a trustee and provide that payments be made to us for a certain number of years (or until the end of your or another’s life). Then the principal is distributed to your children, grandchildren, or other heirs. The principal passes to your heirs at greatly reduced gift- and estate-tax rates and sometimes escapes them altogether. The charitable lead trust may appeal to individuals who wish to make a gift but retain the property in their family.
There are two types of charitable lead trusts: the grantor lead trust and the more popular nongrantor lead trust, which was made famous by Mrs. Jackie Kennedy Onassis.