Make an impact while planning for your future
We also offer the ability to create a free Revocable Living Trust
Everybody needs a will
Whether you’re 18 or 108, everyone should have a will in place. People use wills to choose who gets their property, name guardians for minor children, provide a plan for pets, and more.
Through a will, many people also choose to leave a part of their estate to the University of New Haven and make an impact on the causes they love, for years to come.
Why give in your will?
Common gifted assets in wills and trusts
- Financial accounts
- Real estate
- Vehicles
- Brokerage accounts
- Personal property
Make your will online – for free!
The University of New Haven has partnered with FreeWill to offer an online estate planning tool that makes it easy and cost-free to make your plan. In as little as 20 minutes, you can help support our mission for future generations.
We also offer the ability to create a free Revocable Living Trust
Popular resources
Sample bequest language for your will or trust
This language may help you and your attorney as you consider a gift that will meet your financial and personal goals.
Sample codicil
When it’s time to update your will, you can use a codicil—an addition or supplement that explains or modifies your existing will.
Ellis C. Maxcy Legacy Society Informational Packet
The Ellis C. Maxcy Legacy Society honors individuals who value higher education and make sustaining the University of New Haven part of their legacy.
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.
My membership in the Ellis C. Maxcy Legacy Society provides me with the unique opportunity as a silent partner to invest in the success of future students enrolled in the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences. This small but significant act embodies the enormous sense of gratitude I feel for all the knowledge, experience, guidance, friendship, mentoring, and collegiality that propelled my professional life forward to its successful culmination. An indescribable and profound satisfaction resulted in large measure from my deep connection to the University of New Haven. I cannot imagine a better way to place my fingerprint on the future than by holding the door open for others who value the importance of seeking and learning the truth through diligent allegiance to rigorous science, due process principles, and the rule of law.
Margaret DeStefano
J.D. 1971, 1974
Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you! We encourage anyone who has included the university in their estate plans to notify us, as it allows us to express our deepest gratitude and ensure their philanthropic intentions align with our long-term goals. Additionally, informing us enables better coordination and stewardship, ensuring their legacy positively impacts future generations of students and academic endeavors. Individuals can also choose to maintain their privacy if they prefer.
You can inform the University about your donation by completing this form. Furthermore, you have the opportunity to specify how you wish to be acknowledged or if you prefer to maintain anonymity.
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.
Yes! Knowing in advance about your intentions is quite helpful to our staff, but you are always welcome to not share your gift.
We’ve partnered with FreeWill to help you make a will or trust at no cost to you. You can use this to complete your plans, or you may choose to use the same tools to get your affairs in order before visiting an attorney (who is likely to have a fee associated with finalizing your plans).
Flexibility is key when it comes to estate planning. Most estate documents are amendable and can be adjusted at any point during your lifetime. Whether you choose to use FreeWill or consult your estate attorney, you have the option to craft a new will, append a codicil to your existing will, or modify the beneficiaries of your life insurance or 401(k).
Yes! FreeWill will never share your personal information without your permission.
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.
Beneficiary designations
Gifting assets not covered by your will — like 401(k) or IRA accounts — may help your heirs avoid unwanted taxes, even if you’re below the estate tax threshold.
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.