A bequest is a gift from your estate — a transfer of cash, securities or other property made through your estate plans — and can be made to a charity like Texas Alpha Endowment Fund.

A bequest can be made for a specific amount, for a percentage of your estate or for all or a portion of what is left after you have made bequests to your family. To make a gift from your estate, you must sign a new will or living trust instrument, add a codicil to your present will, or make an amendment to your present trust instrument.

• You retain control and use of your assets during your lifetime.
• You may modify your bequest if your circumstances change.
• Gifts from your estate may be exempt from federal estate taxes.
• A bequest costs nothing now, yet gives you the satisfaction of knowing you have provided for a charity’s future.

• Specific: A gift of a specific amount or item/asset from the estate to Texas Alpha Endowment Fund
• Residual: A gift to Texas Alpha Endowment Fund made from the residue of the estate after all other wishes are fulfilled, or a percentage of the estate.
• Contingent: A gift to Texas Alpha Endowment Fund only in the event that the designated beneficiaries (usually children or family members) are unable to accept the estate gift.
• Perpetual: A series of gifts to Texas Alpha Endowment Fund over a period of time.