Make us a beneficiary of your IRA or other “non-probate” assets
Why beneficiary designations are so powerful
Assets not included in your will are called non-probate assets. Examples are 401(k)s, IRAs, life insurance policies, and other accounts. Designating the the University of New Haven as a beneficiary can have a big impact and may avoid unwanted taxes for your heirs.
Charitable benefits
Common gifted assets for beneficiaries
- IRA
- 401(k)
- Life insurance
- Joint real estate
- Joint bank accounts
- Joint property ownership
Designate the University of New Haven as a beneficiary to one or more of your accounts.
We have partnered with FreeWill to offer this free online platform that will walk you through the process of setting up your beneficiaries. These gifts have a big impact and can often prevent unwanted taxation.
Empowering our Mission through Planned Giving
At the University of New Haven, donor generosity fuels our commitment to higher education. Through experiential learning and collaborative endeavors, we prepare students for global leadership. Planned giving, including bequests and gifts in wills, sustains our mission, enabling us to deliver top-quality education and impactful services. These contributions secure our future impact on student lives.
Lynn Jenkins
Lynn Jenkins, a dedicated community advocate, utilized her legal expertise to serve others throughout her life. After earning degrees from Boston University, she held positions at the Housing Authority of New Haven and the New Haven Legal Assistance Association. In 1985, she established her own legal practice, focusing on criminal defense, civil rights, and taxation. In 2008, she pursued a Master of Science in Taxation at the University of New Haven, where she contributed to campus life as a member of the Graduate Student Council and a writer for the Charger Bulletin. Although she couldn’t complete her degree, she left a lasting impact by designating UNH as the beneficiary of her work-related benefits. This generous gesture established the Lynn G. Jenkins Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund, supporting Pompea College of Business students in perpetuity.
Frequently Asked Questions
A non-probate asset is an account or other asset that won’t be governed by the decisions you make in a will. Instead, these accounts commonly have an assigned beneficiary that you choose. Types of non-probate assets include many retirement accounts, life insurance, some bank accounts and some assets (like a house or vehicle) that you jointly own with another person.
The most commonly gifted non-probate asset is an IRA or 401(k). This is because these accounts are always taxed (even for people below the estate tax threshold). Giving these accounts to charity keeps your heirs from having to pay unexpected taxes.
Yes! Even if you have a will in place you still need to designate beneficiaries for your non-probate assets.
Yes! Gifts of any size are deeply appreciated. Many people choose to leave a percentage of their estate, which scales up or down with your estate size.
No. You can usually make these easily and at no cost to you.
Yes. You are always free to revise or update your estate plans.
We’re here to help you meet your goals!
Our team would be happy to speak with you in confidence about your giving goals, with no obligation.
Name: Lisa Wrubleski
Title :Director of Development, Planned and Major Gifts
Phone: 860-478-2870
Email: lwrubleski@newhaven.edu
Already included us in your estate plan? Let us know
More ways to make an impact
Popular tax-smart gifts
Many people are increasingly choosing to give non-cash assets, so they can have a bigger impact at less cost to them.
Gifts in a will or trust
Donations in your will or trust are (by far) the most popular type of planned gift. Learn more, or get help starting your will (for free!).
Residual Designations
A residual estate gift is a powerful way to leave a lasting impact on the causes that matter most to you, including supporting our university’s mission of academic excellence, research, and student success.