Here are some of the most tax-advantaged ways to make a difference at the University of Wyoming.

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• A gift in your will or living trust – Leaving a gift in your will or living trust is a simple way to make a lasting gift. By designating UW as a beneficiary in your will or trust, your gift will support the university, and if your gift is made through a living trust it may pass outside of the probate process and could reduce the taxable value of your estate.

• Beneficiary designations – You can name the University of Wyoming as a full or partial beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), life insurance policy, or bank account. Because retirement accounts are often heavily taxed when passed to heirs, directing these assets to UW can be a highly tax-efficient way to create a lasting impact.

• Donor-Advised Funds – You can contribute cash or assets to a donor-advised fund, receive an immediate tax deduction, and recommend grants to UW over time. This offers flexibility, simplicity, and the ability to give anonymously if desired.

• Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from your IRA – Ifyou are age 70½ or older, you can transfer up to $111,000 per year directly from your IRA to a qualified charity like UW, completely tax-free. QCDs count toward your required minimum distribution and are excluded from your taxable income, making them one of the most tax-efficient ways for retirees to supportcauses they care about.

• Gifts of appreciated stock or securities – Donating long-term appreciated assets directly to UW instead of selling them allows you to avoid capital gains tax and receive a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the assets.

• Charitable Remainder Trusts – A Charitable Remainder Trust allows you to transfer assets into a trust that provides income to you or a named beneficiary for life or a set term of years. At the end of the trust’s term, the remaining assets pass to UW. You receive an immediate charitable deduction and may also reduce estate taxes.

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We encourage you to consult with your professional advisors to explore which approach is right for you. To learn more about any of these options or to notify UW of a planned gift, please contact Brett Befus, Senior Associate Vice President of Development, at (307) 766-4259 or bbefus@uwyo.edu.

What’s your Wyoming legacy?

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