Old Main's dome in the distance with some small redbud blooms just starting to pop in the foreground

Planned Giving

Your legacy continues at Widener University.

Your gift, for us and for you.

Flexible gift options

Give cash, property, or investments that work for you.  Make your gift now and see its impact soon, or create a transformative gift in your estate.

Tax benefits.

Your gift may reduce taxes for you and your family.  Some gifts may also provide partially tax-deductible income for life.

Personal Support

Our team of dedicated philanthropic advisors is ready to help you make your gift, your way.

Consult your own team

Before you make your planned gift, you may want to talk to your own attorney, wealth manager, and accountants.  We're ready to prepare you for those conversations as much or as little as you want - because it's your gift, not ours.

Family first

Many gift options let you take care of your loved ones while also giving back.

Popular ways to give

Not sure which option fits your situation? Our planned giving team offers free, confidential consultations to help you explore what works best for your family and goals.

The most common planned gift. Add a simple sentence to your will leaving a percentage or specific amount to Widener University. You can change your mind anytime, and it costs nothing today. 

Sample language: "I give ___% of my estate / $___________ to Widener University, an educational institution in Chester, Pennsylvania, for such use as may best support its mission."

You may also choose to support or establish a scholarship, professorship, or dedicated fund - however you want to direct your support, we're ready to help.

An annuity is a simple contract where you give cash or stock to Widener and in exchange Widener provides you or another beneficiary fixed payments for life. Payments are a percentage and increase based on the donor’s age at the first payment. 

Annuities can be a great way to turn assets that don’t earn income into those that do, and when the last recipient passes away the remainder funds a charitable gift at Widener.

You can also create a gift annuity using your IRA - email our staff to ask how.

Name Widener University as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or other retirement accounts. This can be more tax-smart than leaving these accounts to family members.  For donors who must take a minimum distribution from your IRA, you can instead direct all or a portion of that to a charity through a Qualified Charitable Distribution. These gifts can be a very tax-wise way to make an impact right away.

Many donors have started setting up their own charitable funds with wealth advisors and community foundations.  From there, it’s simply a matter of identifying qualifying charities - like Widener! - that you want to support and telling your DAF manager to issue grants. And when you pass, the remainder can be used to make a significant gift to Widener as well.

Your home, vacation property, or land can become a meaningful gift, with significant tax savings to you and a powerful way to fund a gift to Widener. 

Stocks, bonds, or mutual funds that have grown in value make smart gifts. You avoid capital gains taxes and get a full deduction for the current value.

Widener's brokerage information is as follows:

Brokerage Firm: Merrill Lynch
Account Manager: Ron Reno
Account Name: Widener University
Account Number: 2Z502004
DTC Number: 8862

Please notify giving@widener.edu prior to making any gift of securities so that we can properly thank you.

Questions it's OK to ask

Do I need a lawyer?

For simple gifts in your will or beneficiary designations, many people work directly with their attorney or use online will services. For more complex gifts, we can connect you with trusted legal and financial advisors.

Can I change my mind later?

Absolutely. Most planned gifts can be changed or cancelled anytime. Your circumstances may change, and we understand that.

Will this affect my family's inheritance?

Many planned gifts actually increase what your family receives through tax savings and smart planning. We'll help you understand all the options.

How much do I need to give?

There's no minimum. Whether your gift is $1,000 or $1 million, it makes a difference and connects you to our mission.

What if I don't have a will yet?

We can help you find resources to create one. Having a will protects your family and lets you direct where your assets go.

Contact Our Planned Giving Experts

Brian Lewis, Director of Annual Giving
Phone: 610-499-4113 (office) | 484-297-9781 (cell/text)
Email: balewis1@widener.edu

Jim Gulick, Associate Vice President
Phone: 610-499-4486
Email: jkgulick@widener.edu

Request information:

  • Easy consultation about your options and what might work best for you
  • Sample will language for easy gifts
  • Recommended questions for your financial advisors

Remember: Exploring your options costs nothing and creates no obligation. We're here to help you make informed decisions that work for your family and your values.

Take the Next Step

Your story at Widener doesn't have to end at graduation. Whether you're 25 or 95, it's never too early or too late to plan a gift that reflects who you are and what you believe in. 

Start with a simple question: "What do I want my legacy to be at Widener University?" Your planned gift helps answer that question for generations to come.