A charitable trust is a good way to make a substantial gift to Texas A&M while providing lifetime income for yourself or your beneficiaries. You can choose from many forms of charitable trusts to suit your own needs, but the basic charitable trust begins with the transfer of assets to a trustee. You then receive income from these assets for a predetermined length of time. Upon termination of the trust, the assets are transferred to Texas A&M and distributed according to your wishes.

Charitable trusts can be especially beneficial if you: 

• wish to make a charitable gift to benefit Texas A&M and at the same time retain the income from the assets you give 
• have highly appreciated assets which you hesitate to sell because of taxes 
• desire more income than the assets are currently providing to you

A charitable trust can take several forms. We recommend that you review your intentions with your financial and legal advisor when you are considering a charitable remainder trust.

Charitable Remainder Annuity Trusts

The donor irrevocably transfers assets to the trust and in return receives a fixed annuity for life or for a term of years. The charitable deduction is affected by the amount of payout and the expected length of the trust. Upon termination, assets are transferred to Texas A&M in accordance with the donor's intent.

Charitable Remainder Unitrusts

The donor irrevocably transfers assets to the trust and in return receives a variable annuity for life or for a term of years. The distribution is determined each year by multiplying the market value of the trust assets by the percentage specified in the trust document. The charitable deduction is affected by the amount of payout and the expected length of the trust. Upon termination, assets are transferred to Texas A&M in accordance with the donor's intent.

Charitable Remainder Trust Fees

• 0.5% of first $1 million 
• 0.4% of all amounts over $1 million 
• Minimum annual fee $250