Bequest Commitments

Alumni and friends often make their largest gifts to Swarthmore College through their estate plans. In many circumstances, though, the College learns of the bequest after the donor’s death, when it is too late to express our appreciation. Because the College is so grateful for these gifts, we appreciate the opportunity to thank people for their estate plans during their lifetimes. Your bequest may also qualify for a matching gift through the Legacy Challenge.

Alumni and friends who are aged 60 or older by June 30, 2020, can have their bequest commitments matched through the Legacy Challenge and included in the giving total for the College’s current campaign. If you wish, Swarthmore College will keep your bequest commitment anonymous yet still count it toward the campaign gift total. To learn more about documenting your bequest, read “Estate Gift FAQs” [PDF] on page two of the Estate Commitment form.

Here’s what to do if you meet the age requirement and have already included Swarthmore in your estate plan or plan to do so:

• Complete the Estate Commitment form [PDF] and let us know the gift you have planned or your best estimate of the gift you expect Swarthmore to receive after your death.
• Attach a photocopy of the document describing your gift. Documentation may be a page from your will; a copy of the beneficiary-designation form for your 401(k), 403(b), or other retirement plan; a copy of your life insurance beneficiary-designation form; or similar documentation.
• Mail the documents to: Office of Gift Planning, Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Swarthmore, PA 19081.

If you have additional questions about documenting your estate provision for Swarthmore, please call Renée P. Atkinson, Director of Gift Planning, at 610-328-8323 or send an e-mail to ratkins1@swarthmore.edu.