Title
Legal Language for Estate Planning
One of the easiest ways to create a legacy is to include a bequest for charity in one's will or trust. There are several kinds of bequest provisions - we have provided examples of some of the most common.
The most important aspect of the bequest language is the legal name of the charity. We ask that gifts to Lawrence be left to "Lawrence University of Wisconsin." You may be asked to provide Lawrence's Tax ID or EIN, that number is 39-0806297.
Bequests of this type can provide a specified dollar amount, ensuring a certain size gift, or a specified proportion of the estate, to keep this gift in line with other provisions that may also be included.
Examples:
"I give and bequeath to Lawrence University of Wisconsin, the sum of ________ ($) Dollars for its general use and purposes."
Or
"I give and bequeath to Lawrence University of Wisconsin, ________% of my adjusted gross estate as finally determined for federal estate tax purposes for its general use and purposes."
Bequests can also provide specific items from one's estate to a charity like artwork, books, photographs, collections, or other tangible personal property. Charities will have the right to accept or decline such gifts, so alerting them to your wishes will avoid difficulties down the road. For real estate, please include legal description of the property, not just an address.
Example:
"I give and bequeath to Lawrence University of Wisconsin, my entire art collection consisting of paintings, water colors, prints and sculptures for its general use and purposes."
You should complete a beneficiary designation form with individual retirement accounts and life insurance policies. These documents will be upheld over what you state in your will or trust, so make sure your beneficiary forms reflect your wishes. You may also add language to your will stating the percentage of the account being given and the account number.
Example:
"One hundred percent (100%) of my IRA account at (name of custodian) account number ________, shall be distributed to Lawrence University of Wisconsin."
The most important aspect of the bequest language is the legal name of the charity. We ask that gifts to Lawrence be left to "Lawrence University of Wisconsin." You may be asked to provide Lawrence's Tax ID or EIN, that number is 39-0806297.
Unrestricted General Bequest
Bequests of this type can provide a specified dollar amount, ensuring a certain size gift, or a specified proportion of the estate, to keep this gift in line with other provisions that may also be included.
Examples:
"I give and bequeath to Lawrence University of Wisconsin, the sum of ________ ($) Dollars for its general use and purposes."
Or
"I give and bequeath to Lawrence University of Wisconsin, ________% of my adjusted gross estate as finally determined for federal estate tax purposes for its general use and purposes."
Specific Bequest
Bequests can also provide specific items from one's estate to a charity like artwork, books, photographs, collections, or other tangible personal property. Charities will have the right to accept or decline such gifts, so alerting them to your wishes will avoid difficulties down the road. For real estate, please include legal description of the property, not just an address.
Example:
"I give and bequeath to Lawrence University of Wisconsin, my entire art collection consisting of paintings, water colors, prints and sculptures for its general use and purposes."
IRA and Life Insurance Beneficiaries
You should complete a beneficiary designation form with individual retirement accounts and life insurance policies. These documents will be upheld over what you state in your will or trust, so make sure your beneficiary forms reflect your wishes. You may also add language to your will stating the percentage of the account being given and the account number.
Example:
"One hundred percent (100%) of my IRA account at (name of custodian) account number ________, shall be distributed to Lawrence University of Wisconsin."
Lisalyn Jane Dresser, 2022
Clare Scherf Sweetman Scholarship
"The thing I admire most about Lawrence is the diverse community. You are accepted and treated fairly no matter where you are from. Lawrence does not only teach you what you need to know it also helps you to be independent and prepare you to be successful for the future. I have always wanted to be in this prestigious and diverse university. I will forever be grateful to the Clare Scherf Sweetman Scholarship for helping me reach my dream."
Tomi Oladunjoye, 2023
Pepper Family Scholarship
"My older sister is already in college and the amount of times I heard conversations about FAFSA and applications for scholarships was a million too many. This had me terrified because I feared we would not be able to pay for my college. If that's not bad, and if I'm being honest, I didn't even think I was qualified to be in college. Then one day I got a letter from Lawrence University and it was rather hefty. I will always say that I am forever blessed to have Lawrence University see potential in me. "Now that we got that out of the way, it's time for the money talk" said my college counselor, and they weren't wrong. I was a little worried about the cost of attending Lawrence University, but I could not turn the other way because LU was my first choice. Then another day, I got an email... and boy o boy was I overwhelmed with joy. When I told my parents, my mom had given me the biggest hug and that was when I knew that I could be going to college. Ever since I stepped foot in Appleton Wisconsin I still do not regret pressing send to Lawrence University."
Maggie Wright, 2021
Margaret S. and W. Paul Gilbert Memorial Scholarship
The scholarships I receive at Lawrence allow me to experience anything that I want to. I can pursue my love of Biology and Chemistry in classes that are engaging, with professors who care individually about their students. These scholarships also give me the freedom to participate in numerous extracurriculars that Lawrence offers as well, like the Fencing Team and the American Medical Students Association. All of the opportunities Lawrence offers me remind me how grateful I am to have received the Margaret S. and W. Paul Gilbert Memorial Scholarship."
Sterling Elvin Ambrosius, 2022
Berenice E. Hess Scholarship Endowment
"The financial aid from this school was one of the best packages I received. I wouldn't be in school still if it weren't for Lawrence. This community has allowed me to develop leadership skills, advocacy skills, and overall made my life wonderful. I have found a family here at Lawrence, and that has made the world of difference in the rigorous world of academia. I also found my passion here, advocacy and my major, Gender Studies."
Milwaukee-Downer Scholarships and Professorships
Some of the many recipients of Milwaukee-Downer scholarships gather for a photo with Carolyn King Stephens M-D'62 and Marlene Crupi-Widen M-D'55 in January 2014 at the annual scholarship luncheon.
Milwaukee-Downer Scholarships and Funds
Rosamund Victoria Bille Adler Scholarship
Dr. Charles E. Albright Scholarship
Helen Daniels Bader Scholarship
James G. and Ethel M. Barber Scholarship
Catharine Beecher Endowed Fund for Downer Women
Bessie A. Bell Scholarship
Berk Scholarship
Frederick C. Best Scholarship
Beta Study Club Scholarship
Lynde Bradley Scholarship
Lucia R. Briggs-Alumnae Scholarship
Edith Lange Brooks Scholarship
Anne Barman Caldwell Scholarship
Alice Miller Chester Scholarship
City of Milwaukee Student Funds Scholarship
Milwaukee-Downer Class of 1940 Fund
Milwaukee-Downer Class of 1942 Fund
College Endowment Association Scholarship
Janet Cope Crawford Scholarship
Jessie Mabbott Daniels Scholarship
F. T. Day Scholarship
Rufus Dodge Scholarship
Julia P. Ely and Hannah R. Vedder Memorial Scholarship
General Endowed Scholarship - M-D College
Dr. Alfred W. and Mrs. Ada F. Gray Scholarship
Berenice E. Hess Scholarship Endowment
Lucille Ray Hibbard Scholarship
Belle Austin Jacobs Scholarship
Helen McDermott Jurack and Ronald J. Mason Scholarship
Marjorie S. Logan Scholarship
Nellie Maxwell Scholarship
S. Annabelle & Paul McGuire Scholarship
Memorial Scholarship Fund - Milwaukee-Downer
Milwaukee-Downer Class of 1953 Scholarship
Milwaukee-Downer Class of 1955 Scholarship
Milwaukee-Downer Class of 1956 Scholarship
Milwaukee-Downer Class of 1957 Scholarship
Milwaukee-Downer Class of 1958 and 1959 50th Reunion Scholarship
Milwaukee-Downer Club Scholarship
Milwaukee-Downer/Lawrence College Consolidation 50th Anniversary Scholarship
Francis Evelyn Kelley Morgan Memorial Scholarship
O'Neill-Anderson Family Scholarship Endowment
Elizabeth A. Olson Scholarship
Gilbert Haven Peirce, Sr. and Emma Elizabeth Manor Peirce Milwaukee-Downer Scholarship
Aleida J. Pieters Scholarship
Matilda Siefert Puelicher Scholarship
Elizabeth Ann Richardson Scholarship
William M. Ross Memorial Scholarship
Elizabeth Rossberg Scholarship
Charles Frederic Sammond Scholarship
Mildred L. Schroeder Scholarship
Sivyer Educational Fund for Women
Marion Merrill Smith Scholarship
Dr. Elizabeth A. Steffen Scholarship
W. Mead and Elizabeth McKone Stillman Scholarship
Strzelczyk Family Scholarship
Clare Scherf Sweetman Scholarship
Raymond H. and Jane K. Taylor Scholarship
Jerline E. Walfoort Memorial Scholarship
Barbara E. Wehr Fund
Harmony Weissbach Scholarship
Martha and Frances Wheelock Scholarship
Dr. Charles E. Albright Scholarship
Helen Daniels Bader Scholarship
James G. and Ethel M. Barber Scholarship
Catharine Beecher Endowed Fund for Downer Women
Bessie A. Bell Scholarship
Berk Scholarship
Frederick C. Best Scholarship
Beta Study Club Scholarship
Lynde Bradley Scholarship
Lucia R. Briggs-Alumnae Scholarship
Edith Lange Brooks Scholarship
Anne Barman Caldwell Scholarship
Alice Miller Chester Scholarship
City of Milwaukee Student Funds Scholarship
Milwaukee-Downer Class of 1940 Fund
Milwaukee-Downer Class of 1942 Fund
College Endowment Association Scholarship
Janet Cope Crawford Scholarship
Jessie Mabbott Daniels Scholarship
F. T. Day Scholarship
Rufus Dodge Scholarship
Julia P. Ely and Hannah R. Vedder Memorial Scholarship
General Endowed Scholarship - M-D College
Dr. Alfred W. and Mrs. Ada F. Gray Scholarship
Berenice E. Hess Scholarship Endowment
Lucille Ray Hibbard Scholarship
Belle Austin Jacobs Scholarship
Helen McDermott Jurack and Ronald J. Mason Scholarship
Marjorie S. Logan Scholarship
Nellie Maxwell Scholarship
S. Annabelle & Paul McGuire Scholarship
Memorial Scholarship Fund - Milwaukee-Downer
Milwaukee-Downer Class of 1953 Scholarship
Milwaukee-Downer Class of 1955 Scholarship
Milwaukee-Downer Class of 1956 Scholarship
Milwaukee-Downer Class of 1957 Scholarship
Milwaukee-Downer Class of 1958 and 1959 50th Reunion Scholarship
Milwaukee-Downer Club Scholarship
Milwaukee-Downer/Lawrence College Consolidation 50th Anniversary Scholarship
Francis Evelyn Kelley Morgan Memorial Scholarship
O'Neill-Anderson Family Scholarship Endowment
Elizabeth A. Olson Scholarship
Gilbert Haven Peirce, Sr. and Emma Elizabeth Manor Peirce Milwaukee-Downer Scholarship
Aleida J. Pieters Scholarship
Matilda Siefert Puelicher Scholarship
Elizabeth Ann Richardson Scholarship
William M. Ross Memorial Scholarship
Elizabeth Rossberg Scholarship
Charles Frederic Sammond Scholarship
Mildred L. Schroeder Scholarship
Sivyer Educational Fund for Women
Marion Merrill Smith Scholarship
Dr. Elizabeth A. Steffen Scholarship
W. Mead and Elizabeth McKone Stillman Scholarship
Strzelczyk Family Scholarship
Clare Scherf Sweetman Scholarship
Raymond H. and Jane K. Taylor Scholarship
Jerline E. Walfoort Memorial Scholarship
Barbara E. Wehr Fund
Harmony Weissbach Scholarship
Martha and Frances Wheelock Scholarship
Milwaukee-Downer Professorships
James G. and Ethel M. Barber Professorship of Theatre and Drama
T. A. Chapman Professorship in Music
Alice G. Chapman Professorship in Physics
Alice G. Chapman Librarianship
Milwaukee-Downer College and College Endowment Association Professorship
T. A. Chapman Professorship in Music
Alice G. Chapman Professorship in Physics
Alice G. Chapman Librarianship
Milwaukee-Downer College and College Endowment Association Professorship
