Bequest Language

Printable Bequest Language

Bequests

Bequests and estate gifts to the Santa Fe Institute create a lasting legacy and an investment in the science and scientists of tomorrow. SFI’s supporters, including many of our founders, have made transformational gifts to the Institute through their estates.

Your bequest can be a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate. You can choose to designate your gift for general use or direct it to a specific program or type of researcher (e.g., postdoctoral scholars). Please reach out to support@santafe.edu or 505-946-2720—we are excited to collaborate with you on your gift plan!

Designating the purpose of a bequest:

• Unrestricted: The most useful type of bequest is unrestricted, allowing the funds to be allocated wherever the need is greatest and taking into account that changes (programs, laws, etc.) may necessitate a use that cannot be anticipated at the time of the gift.
• Restricted: You may designate your bequest to support a special program or purpose that reflects your interests (specific departments, endowment, or scholarships).

If the bequest is restricted to a specific purpose, it is important that the following wording be added at the end of the provision. This will ensure that, in the remote possibility a specified purpose may cease to need funds in the future, an alternate use for the bequest may be determined.

• "If changed circumstances should at some future time make it impractical to continue administering the Fund for the purpose designated, then the Santa Fe Institute Board of Trustees may redesignate the purpose—provided the terms adhere as closely as possible to my original intent."

Example of various types of bequests:

• Specific bequests are used to make a gift of a specific dollar amount or specific asset (such as securities, real estate, or personal property).
• Residuary bequests are used to give all or a portion of the remainder of your estate after payment of expenses and any specific amounts designated to other beneficiaries.*

The following includes several examples of suggested bequest wording to benefit the Santa Fe Institute. Each individual situation is unique; therefore, these examples include only some of the possible gift opportunities. We encourage you to discuss your intentions with us to ensure that your wishes will be properly followed and recognized.

Because a will is an important legal document, please work alongside your attorney and financial advisor. To assist you with this important process, we offer suggested wording below.

• Percentage of estate for unrestricted purposes
  "I give to Santa Fe Institute, a nonprofit organization located in Santa Fe, NM, ___ percent (%) of the remainder of my estate for its general charitable purposes.”
• Percentage of estate to establish an endowed fund.
  "I give to Santa Fe Institute, a nonprofit organization located in Santa Fe, NM, ___ percent (%) of the remainder of my estate to establish the ________ Endowed Fund. The portion of this fund available for spending each year shall be used to ___________________________. Contributions may be added to the Fund at any time.”

*If changed circumstances should at some future time make it impractical to use the specific bequest for the purpose designated, then the Santa Fe Institute Board of Trustees may redesignate the purpose—provided that the terms adhere as closely as possible to the original intent.

• Specific amount for unrestricted purposes
  "I give to the Santa Fe Institute, a nonprofit organization located in Santa Fe, NM, the sum of $_____ in cash (or ___ shares of ______ stock) to be used for its general charitable purposes."
• Specific amount for specific purposes
  "I give, devise, and bequeath to the Santa Fe Institute, a nonprofit organization located in Santa Fe, NM, the sum of $_____ in cash or in-kind (or ___ shares of ______ stock) to be used for ________________________________________ at the Santa Fe Institute.”

*If changed circumstances should at some future time make it impractical to continue administering the Fund for the purpose designated, then the Santa Fe Institute Board of Trustees may redesignate the purpose—provided the terms adhere as closely as possible to my original intent.

Please call 505-946-2720 or e-mail support@sanrtafe.edu to discuss your intentions and share the news of your future gift. We look forward to working with you!