50th Reunion Gift Program
The 50th Gift
Your 50th class gift is the combination of all gifts and pledges made to all purposes, from all members of your class, made during a nine-year period. This period starts July 1 following your 45th reunion and runs through June 30 of your 50th year. Pledges recorded by the 50th reunion year will be included in the class gift and pledge payments may extend through the end of the 54th reunion year.
While you are in the reunion run-up giving window, consider taking advantage of the many options to support your class gift purposes or another College priority of personal interest. There are many ways to participate with a gift that suits your financial situation and achieves your goals.
Class volunteers will reach out to their classmates to build the class gift through individual conversations with classmates. As everyone’s circumstances differ, often a conversation with a member of the Hamilton Gift Planning team can help an individual determine the best option to meet personal objectives.
What will you support?
At Reunion Weekend, your class will announce a total 50th Class Gift to Hamilton that is the sum of ALL gifts and pledges made to Hamilton by Hamilton and Kirkland classmates between your 45th and 50th reunion.
- Hamilton Fund – Annual giving to the Hamilton Fund impacts all areas of the Hamilton experience for today’s students and faculty. Gifts support the operating budget, increase financial aid opportunities, and provide funding for academic and co-curricular needs as they arise.
Class Gift – The Classes of 1975 have endowed The Social Justice Experiential Learning Fund as your class gift. Working through College programs such as the Levitt Center Justice Lab, the fund will provide financial support to students who endeavor to recognize, understand, and advance work toward social justice through experiential learning projects. Through these experiences shaped by study, research, advocacy and/or action, their work will help the College better understand and advance its work in social justice. Students will complete projects under the guidance of a faculty member affiliated with broader initiatives related to social justice (such as the Levitt Center) overseen by the dean of the faculty or other appropriate members of the College’s senior leadership. (jump to: Recent Class Gifts)- All Other Purposes – Alumni may choose to support any priority of their choice including capital gifts, endowment, Kirkland initiatives, and other areas of need. If there is a different purpose you’d like to fund, class volunteers and Hamilton staff would be happy to speak with you about those possibilities.
This collective giving by all classmates is your total 50th Class Gift!
How can you give back?
We ask you to consider a personally meaningful 50th reunion contribution that incorporates the following elements:
-
Hamilton Fund Gift & Four-Year Pledge - In addition to cash, outright gifts could include those made with appreciated securities or qualified distributions from an IRA. Gifts initiated by relatives, foundations, and corporations, including matching gifts, can also count. Outright gifts toward class gift purposes and/or the Hamilton Fund can be pledged and made over periods of up to five years with the full amount of the pledge crediting the 50th Reunion class total.
“With an annual tax deductible gift, I contribute to both Kirkland and Hamilton initiatives that support the future generation of students. It is my way of thanking the College each year for the opportunity it provided me.”
— Sara Wilson K’72
To make a multi-year pledge between one and five years out, or to contribute to an area other than your class gift purpose, please contact Victoria Kidd ’94 at vkidd@hamilton.edu or call 315-859-3338. - Class of 1975 Gift - A stretch commitment, payable over five years, toward the Class of 1975 gift.
- Planned Giving - A legacy commitment to the College made via your will or trust, or by beneficiary designation in a retirement account or life insurance policy, or through a life income gift such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust. The total will count toward the total Class of 1975 Gift.
FAQs
Yes, we encourage you to split your gift and spread your commitment by making pledges up to four years. This is a wonderful way to demonstrate your continued commitment to the College. The full amount of the pledge counts towards the Total 50th Class Gift.
Yes, the 50th reunion gifts may be made for any purpose acceptable to the College and count towards the total 50th Reunion Class Gift. To discuss possibilities, contact Victoria Kidd ’94, Director of Milestone Reunions at 315-859-3338 or vkidd@hamilton.edu.
Planned gifts are those made as part of your overall financial and/or estate planning. There are many ways to structure a gift to Hamilon and a wide variety of assets to use. Planned gifts will count toward the total 50th Class Gift, while in many cases, providing tax advantages and even an income stream. Visit hamilton.edu/planningyourgift for more information.
A popular and often highly tax advantaged way to make a 50th reunion gift is via an IRA. An IRA qualified charitable distribution (QCD) allows individuals aged 70 1/2 and older to make outright direct transfers of up to $100,000 per year from traditional individual retirement accounts to qualified charities without having to count for transfers as income for federal tax purposes. Please contact Hamilton for more information.
Please contact a member of the Gift Committee or Victoria Kidd '94 (vkidd@hamilton.edu or 315 859-3338) for a personalized 50th Gift Form. Outright gifts can be payable by check, credit card, appreciated securities, DAF grants, etc.
Outright Gifts
Cash
Simple and straightforward. Give by cash, check, or credit card — and get the maximum charitable income tax deduction. You can donate any time at hamilton.edu/give.
“With an annual tax deductible gift, I contribute to both Kirkland and Hamilton initiatives
that support the future generation of students. It is my way of thanking the College each
year for the opportunity it provided me.”— Sara Wilson K’72
Stock or Mutual Funds
You can complete a contribution of stock held long-term, generating an income tax deduction for fair market value and permanently avoiding tax on the gain.
“Sharon and I have been regular supporters of Hamilton and have found, when we’re
able, that a gift of appreciated securities makes a lot of sense. We receive a tax deduction
for the value of the gift, plus avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation. In the
milestone 50th reunion year, we knew this would be an excellent way to do a bit more for
Hamilton as part of 1971’s epic celebration.”— Arthur Kalita ’71
IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution
If you are 70 ½ years of age or older, you can make an annual tax-free distribution of up to $105,000 for 2024 (the maximum may increase in 2025) directly from your IRA to Hamilton. For those who are subject to the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), a Qualified Charitable Distribution will count towards your RMD but not as taxable income. The gift must be completed by Dec. 31 each year.“By the Charter Class 50th reunion, I reflected on how Kirkland shaped me—and how it has clearly shaped the Hamilton we know today. I wanted to join my classmates in helping current students flourish as they make their way through their own undergraduate education. I pledged my support ahead of the reunion and delayed making monthly gifts from my IRA until my Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) kicked in. Perfect! I made a substantial gift to support women’s education on campus while avoiding taxes on the RMD had I taken it as income.”
Estate Gifts
Plan for the next generation of students on the Hill.
Will or Trust Provision
You may make a commitment through your estate plan by designating a specific amount or a percentage of your estate.
“As the son and father of alumni, I have a special feeling for Hamilton. At the time of
my 50th reunion, I found that making a bequest provision for the College would be a
meaningful way to honor all that Hamilton represents to me and my family.”— Eric Allen ’73, P’09
Real Property
You can contribute to Hamilton all or a portion of your residence, vacation home, commercial property, or undeveloped land outright or in trust. You may also contribute your primary residence to the College while retaining the right to live in and enjoy it for life.
“When I considered the various ways of supporting Hamilton as my 50th reunion
approached, I realized that leaving a piece of property to the College in my will would be
ideal for me. Such a gift avoids passing it through my estate, and it will offer Hamilton a
far larger gift than I could have made outright during my life. Giving real estate is often
a neglected aspect of personal financial planning — I’m glad I gave this opportunity a
second look.”
— Paul Flynn ’72
Retirement Plan Provision
You may name Hamilton the recipient of all or a portion of any account requiring you to complete a beneficiary designation form — often easing estate administration issues. As the beneficiary or contingent beneficiary of your retirement plan assets, Hamilton will receive 100% of the gift amount.
“For some time, my wife and I have felt that legacy gifts are vitally important to the
future of our favorite non-profits. At Hamilton, estate gifts play a huge role in supporting
scholarship aid and the College’s commitment to need-blind admissions. I decided to add
to our Class of 1972 Alexander Hamilton Scholarship fund by designating Hamilton as a
partial beneficiary of an IRA account. It was a very simple change to make. I truly believe
in the good that is achieved through deferred gifts like this.” —
Scott Belleman ’72
Income Generating Gifts
An investment in Hamilton’s future ... and yours.
Charitable Remainder Unitrust
Funded with cash, securities, and/or real estate, a charitable remainder trust makes payments to you or another beneficiary and ultimately benefits Hamilton.
“I was fortunate to spend a couple summers between years at Hamilton doing research
in biology and chemistry. I received a small stipend, but most importantly the discipline
and techniques I learned greatly helped springboard my careers in medical and
pharmaceutical research. A few years ago, I created an endowment at Hamilton to
support students doing summer research in the sciences, and then decided the best way
to enhance that fund was to create a charitable remainder unitrust. I received a tax
deduction in addition to quarterly payments that I turn back to Hamilton, providing
further tax benefits.” — Joe Konen ’75
Charitable Gift Annuity
Hamilton agrees to make fixed quarterly payments to you, or you and another annuitant, for life based on your age(s). You may claim an income tax charitable contribution deduction, and, if the gift is made with appreciated securities, you will save capital gains tax.
“A few years ago my wife Lynn and I decided to make a permanent gift to Hamilton in the form of a charitable gift annuity since it provided a current tax deduction, a quarterly payment to us, and ultimately a gift to the College. Every three months when the
check arrives, I’m reminded of the wisdom of our decision. What could be more of
a win, win, win?”— Wilson Everhart ’70, P’02
Class Gift Purposes
The unique personality of every Hamilton class is reflected in the special designated class gift purpose(s) created for the 50th reunion as selected by reunion and class leadership and College leaders. Recent gift purposes have included:
The Hamilton and Kirkland Class of 1975 Social Justice Experiential Learning Fund, to provide financial support to students who endeavor to recognize, understand, and advance work toward social justice through experiential learning projects.
The Class of 1974 Scholarship, with contributions from members of both Hamilton and Kirkland Classes of 1974, to make a lasting contribution to Hamilton’s scholarship program
Kirkland Class of 1974, the complete renovation of a courtyard space outside of List, home to the Literature and Creative Writing departments. The courtyard will be used as a gathering space for students, alumni and visitors, and will enhance "Kirkland Everlasting" on the campus.
Class of 1973 - The Professor Robert L. Simon Scholarship, in honor of philosophy Professor Bob Simon, an engaging teacher, advisor, mentor, and friend, and in support of Hamilton's scholarship program
Kirkland Class of 1973, an outdoor project near Minor, McIntosh, and Keehn residence halls, including a circular bench, new trees, and landscape enhancements.
The Class of 1972 Alexander Hamilton Scholarship, to make a lasting contribution to Hamilton’s scholarship program
Kirkland Charter Class Kirkland Green, an outdoor amphitheater and landscape enhancements, reflecting the spirit of Kirkland Everlasting
The Class of 1971 Memorial Scholarship, in memory of classmates they have lost over the years and in support of Hamilton’s scholarship program
The Class of 1970 Alexander Hamilton Scholarship, to make a lasting contribution to Hamilton’s scholarship program
The Class of 1969 Alexander Hamilton Scholarship, in honor of Alexander Hamilton and in recognition of the principals of the founding fathers
- Each class will discuss opportunities and determine its own selection process to commemorate the milestone event. Please contact Victoria Kidd ’94, Director of Milestone Reunions, with any questions at vkidd@hamilton.edu or 315-859-3338.
Contact Us
Julie Ross ’84, Director of Gift Planning
315-859-4640
jross3@hamilton.edu
Victoria Kidd ’94, Director of Milestone Reunions
315-859-3338
vkidd@hamilton.edu
