Planned Giving

Thank you for your interest in supporting Smart Museum of Art. Whether you are thinking about establishing an endowment or leaving a lasting legacy through a bequest, your generosity will have a transformative impact on our work—today and far into the future. 

There are many ways to give that will benefit the Smart Museum while providing special advantages to you and your loved ones. 

Bequests

The bequest is a gift from your will or living trust. A bequest can be made with cash, securities, real estate, or other assets and be in the form of a dollar amount, specific asset, percentage of your estate, or residual balance. Documentation of the planned gift authorizes your gift to count toward our fundraising goals, assists with long-term planning efforts, and inspires others. 

Learn more about including a gift to the Smart Museum of Art in your will or estate plan »

beneficiary Designations

Designate the Smart Museum of Art as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or other account to enjoy tax savings and other benefits. Because distributions from most retirement accounts are subject to income tax and may also be subject to estate tax, leaving these assets to the Museum can provide significant tax advantages to you and your family. 

Learn more about designating the University as a beneficiary of an account »

Gift Annuities and Charitable Trusts

With life income gifts, the Smart Museum of Art invests the proceeds of your donated assets—whether in the form of cash, securities, or other appreciated property—and pays you, or designated beneficiaries, an income for life or for a specified term of years. In- come-producing planned gifts can enhance your estate by enabling you to increase your income, diversify your holdings, reduce your taxes, and avoid the cost of probate. When appreciated property is used, planned gifts can also relieve you of capital gains tax. 

Learn more about making a deferred gift and receiving income for yourself or a loved one » 

Contact

Please contact Jessica Glaser at 773.834.6886 or jessicaglaser@uchicago.edu to discuss in confidence your options for planned gifts. 

Not ready to consider planned giving options? Donate online today and take an immediate tax deduction for your charitable gift. 

Image: Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker, on view at the Smart Museum of Art. Photo by Jason Smith.