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Couple Plans to Fund Oxford College's Most Pressing Needs

Chris and Amanda Arrendale

The Arrendales' unrestricted estate gift will help meet Oxford's most pressing needs.

When Chris Arrendale 99Ox 01C visited Emory's admission office in 1995, the adviser suggested he begin his studies at Oxford.

“My mother said, ‘Well, you're not going to England,’” he remembers, alluding to Oxford University.

Oxford College, Emory's birthplace east of Atlanta, turned out to be the perfect place to start.

“Oxford College prepared me for Emory and for anything that life would throw at me,” says Arrendale, who went on to earn a master's degree in software engineering and now owns two information technology companies in Atlanta. “With the small class sizes, you knew you would be called on and you knew you had to be ready.”

Because Arrendale and his wife, Amanda, believe in supporting the institutions that are important to them, they have included Oxford in their estate plans. They also gave to name a collaboration room in Oxford’s new science building.

“We like to give back to those places that have helped us along the way,” Arrendale says.

Chris met Amanda, who has a master's degree in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology and works for a web teleconferencing company, during a former job at an email marketing and service provider in Atlanta.

They maintain a close relationship with Oxford College, volunteering for Emory Cares International Service Day in Newton County each year and attending events related to the Oxford College Alumni Board.

The couple's estate gift is unrestricted, which means it will fund the most pressing needs at Oxford when the gift is realized. The Arrendales also hope to name a scholarship one day.

Making your legacy gift to Emory is easier than you think. Contact the team of professionals at Emory's Office of Gift Planning at 404.727.8875 or giftplanning@emory.edu. For online resources, go to giftplanning.emory.edu.

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The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax adviser. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes include federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results. 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. 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. Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Emory University a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to Emory University, a nonprofit corporation currently located at Atlanta, GA, or its successor thereto, ______________* [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Emory or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Emory as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Emory as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Emory where you agree to make a gift to Emory and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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