The following includes several examples of suggested bequest wording to benefit the University of Wisconsin-Madison through the UW Foundation. The Foundation, an independent, nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation founded in 1945, raises, invests and distributes gifts on behalf of the University.
Each individual situation is unique and, therefore, these examples include only some of the possible gift opportunities. We encourage you to share your final will provision with the Foundation’s Office of Gift Planning to ensure that your wishes will be properly followed and recognized.
To assist you with your plans, the Office of Gift Planning can provide sample language for the program or area you wish to support. This confidential service is available to you without obligation.
To request specialized language for a will or trust, please reach out using our Contact Us form, and you will receive a prompt response. Or, call the UW Foundation’s main phone line (608-263-4545 or 800-443-6162) and ask for Gift Planning.
Unrestricted Bequest
I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to the University of Wisconsin Foundation (“Foundation”), a non-profit, non-stock Wisconsin corporation with its principal office in Madison, Wisconsin, [ _____ percent (%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate; OR _____ dollars ($); OR specific asset] to be used in an area of greatest need at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. However, if at the time the gift is received, another designation or use for the gift is noted in a separate document on file with the Foundation, I request that the Foundation utilize my gift in accordance with the terms of that document.
Restricted Bequest
I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the University of Wisconsin Foundation (“Foundation”), a non-profit, non-stock Wisconsin corporation with its principal office in Madison, Wisconsin, [ _____ percent (%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate; OR _____ dollars ($); OR specific asset] to be used for _______________ at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Should a restriction or condition on the gift become unlawful, impracticable, wasteful, impossible to achieve, become an impairment on the management or investment of the gift, or become an impairment on my intent, the Foundation may modify the gift’s restrictions or conditions as close to my original intent as can at that time can be devised.
If at the time the gift is received, another designation or use for the gift is noted in a separate document on file with the Foundation, I request that the Foundation utilize my gift in accordance with the terms of that document.
