Ways to Give

There are a variety of ways alumni and friends can support the Pitt School of Law. Below you will find a sampling of examples which may suit your particular interest. Members of the Law School Development Office are happy to assist with additional information and specific details.

Outright Support

Gifts of Cash

Maximize your charitable deduction and deliver immediate benefits to the Law School. Outright support can be a one-time gift or payable over 5 years. For example, a commitment of $50,000 can be pledged by committing $10,000 per year over 5 years. 

Gifts of Appreciated Securities

The IRS allows one of its most significant tax breaks for gifts of appreciated securities. Appreciated securities can be used to make a one-time gift or to fulfill a pledge (as illustrated above). Securities can be electronically transferred to the University of Pittsburgh. Gifts of appreciated stock are stock help avoid capital gains tax.

Gifts of Real Estate

Make a substantial gift to the Law School through a transfer of residential, commercial, or undeveloped real estate. Special approval by the University of Pittsburgh is required in advance.

Planned and Life-Income Gifts

Gifts by Will or Living Trust

Many Pitt Law alumni have provided for the Law School in their estate planning. By simply documenting your revocable bequest intentions, the Law School can include a percentage of your planned gift in our campaign totals. A great way to give without affecting your cash flow during your lifetime.

Gifts of Life Insurance

Create a significant endowment for the Law School without dipping into your capital assets. We recommend speaking with a member of the development staff before establishing a life insurance policy.

Charitable Gift Annuities

Receive a fixed payout and significant tax benefits. Recommended for donors age 65 and older.

Charitable Lead Trusts

Freeze the taxable value of your appreciating assets by using them to make gifts today and pass them back to family members later. A great way to transfer wealth to your family members and avoid future gift or estate taxes.

Charitable Remainder Annuity Trusts

Combine a charitable gift with a predictable fixed-income payout by placing your donation into an individually managed trust. Choose from several options that best meet your personal financial situation and our needs.

IRA

You can give any amount (up to a maximum of $100,000) per year from your IRA directly to a qualified charity such as the University of Pittsburgh without having to pay income taxes on the money. Gifts of any value $100,000 or less are eligible for this benefit and you can feel good knowing that you are making a difference at the University of Pittsburgh. This popular gift option is commonly called the IRA charitable rollover, but you may also see it referred to as a qualified charitable distribution, or QCD for short.

Donor Advised Fund

A donor advised fund (DAF), which is similar to a charitable savings account, gives you the flexibility to recommend how much and how often money is granted to the University of Pittsburgh and other qualified charities.

Endowed Gifts 

A gift to create an endowed fund at the University of Pittsburgh today provides a dedicated and permanent source of funding that helps maintain the mission of the University. It provides a stable and continuing resource for the student scholarships, faculty positions, and innovative research most important to you.

Beneficiary Designations 

Not everyone wants to commit to making a gift in their wills or estates. Some prefer the increased flexibility that a beneficiary designation provides by using: IRAs and retirement plans, life insurance policies, donor advised funds, or commercial annuities.

Tangible Personal Property 

Your treasures such as valuable antiques, stamp and coin collections, works of art, cars, boats, and other personal property can make suitable charitable gifts today or after your lifetime. The financial benefits of the gift depend on whether the University of Pittsburgh can use the property in a way that is related to our mission.


If you have questions, please contact:

Benjamin Ginsberg, Esq.
Director of Development
Phone: 412-624-5187
Cell: 215-280-8244
bjg@pitt.edu