A Pie Analogy for Giving

Picture your estate as a pie. When you decide whom you want to share it with, you can cut big slices, little slices or somewhere in between.

We talk to many supporters of St. Joseph's University who worry that leaving a gift in their will to St. Joseph's may jeopardize their family’s well-being. The pie analogy comes in handy. You dictate the serving sizes. You can ensure that your loved ones get the biggest portion of your estate. You can also make sure your family gets served first.

Here is how:

Instead of a fixed amount, consider leaving St. Joseph's University a percentage of your estate or of specific assets. That way, your charitable gift will adjust according to future circumstances, and gifts to loved ones will remain proportional — no matter how your estate fluctuates. Here are two ways to do it:

Gift a percentage of your estate to St. Joseph's University in your will.
Leave St. Joseph's University a percentage of your residual estate (the portion of your estate that remains after all gifts and bequests have been made and all claims of the estate are satisfied).

The great thing about gifts from your will is that they are flexible: You can change your mind at any time. Just know that whatever you settle on, a gift to St. Joseph's University does not have to be large — every slice makes a difference.

Save a Slice for St. Joseph's University

Even a small piece of your estate makes an impact. Contact Rory Shaffer-Walsh at 631.687.2658 or rshaffer-walsh@sjny.edu to learn more about supporting St. Joseph's while serving family first.

Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance. A copy of our most recently filed financial report is available from the Charities Registry on the New York State Attorney General’s website (www.charitiesnys.com) or, upon request, by contacting the New York State Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005, or us at 245 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205. You also may obtain information on charitable organizations from the New York State Office of the Attorney General at www.charitiesnys.com or (212) 416-8401.