How to Give

Main Content

Thank you for your gift to Duke Law!

Your gifts make a difference to our students and faculty. Below are some of the ways you can financially support our mission:

 

Online

Duke University accepts online donations using their secure server.

Make your gift online

Checks (Cash)

Checks should be made payable to "Duke Law School" with a note in the memo section specifying the designation of your gift. Please mail your gift to the following address:

Alumni & Development Records
Duke University
Box 90581
Durham, NC 27708-0581
P: 919-684-2338
F: 919-684-8527

Corporate or Law Firm Matching Gifts

You may be able to multiply the value of your gift by participating in a corporate matching gift program. Many companies, and some law firms, match charitable gifts made by employees (or joint gifts with their spouses), retirees or board members. Outright gifts and the deduction value of irrevocable deferred gifts may also qualify for a match. Instructions for making a matching gift are available on the Alumni & Development Records "How to Make a Matching Gift" website.

Gifts of Securities – Stocks, Bonds and Mutual Funds

For more information about how to make the following gifts, please email Stock4Duke@duke.edu or contact Binta Watkins at (919) 684-2338.

Transferring securities to Duke University

You or your broker should contact the Office of Alumni and Development Records (Phone: 919-684-2338; Mail: Duke University, Campus Box 90581, Durham, NC 27708) or go to www.stockgifts.duke.edu/index for security transfer instructions and brokerage account information. You should notify a Law School development officer when donating securities for a specific program or purpose.

Deduction

For gifts of publicly traded securities, the deduction is determined by taking the average, or mean, between the high and low trading prices of the security on the date of the gift (or the nearest trading date(s)).

Other securities

Closely held stock, Subchapter S corporate stock, limited liability company interests and partnerships can sometimes be used to make a charitable gift. Any proposed gift of such assets should be reviewed with Duke University and the donor’s tax advisors in advance. An S corporation, limited liability company or partnership may also donate specific assets and the deduction will be divided among the shareholders or members.

Gifts of Real Estate

Gifts of appreciated homes, farms and other real property can receive the same tax treatment as gifts of securities – a full, fair-market value deduction and no tax on the capital gain. If debt-free property is donated to Duke, the gift is deductible at the property's appraised value. It is sometimes possible to donate a partial interest in property, such as a percentage of ownership or mineral rights.

Memorial or Tribute Gifts

Any gift may be designated in memory or honor of a friend, family member or other person.

Gifts in Kind

Another way to support Duke Law School is through gifts of tangible personal property. If a gift is related to the charitable purpose of the university, which is generally very broad for educational institutions, the donor may be eligible for a deduction of the asset's full fair market value. Examples of gifts-in-kind include: artwork, special library collections, furnishings, computer software or hardware.

Planned Giving

Although outright gifts provide vital resources for the university today, deferred gifts help insure Duke Law School's future. Giving through estate plans or life income gifts may be particularly suitable for individuals who would like to provide significant support for Duke Law School but need income from their assets during their lifetime.

For more information, email Katharine Buchanan or contact her at 919-613-7217.

Bequests by Will or Revocable "Living" Trust

The most common form of deferred or planned gift to support Duke is a bequest contained in a person’s will or revocable ("living") trust. The following language is an example of how a bequest to benefit Duke may be worded:

"I give, devise and bequeath to Duke University, a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization located in Durham, North Carolina, _____ percent of my residual estate (or a specific bequest of $__________, or other personal or real property appropriately described) to be used for the benefit of Duke Law School."

Life Income Gifts

Donors may receive numerous tax and financial benefits by creating a "life income gift," such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust. The donor makes an irrevocable contribution of assets to fund the trust or annuity, gets an immediate income tax deduction for part of the contribution’s value, and receives income for life or a term of between 1 – 20 years. When the trust or annuity term ends, the remaining assets can be directed to support programs at Duke Law School.

Charitable Lead Trusts

A charitable lead trust can make an agreed payment to Duke for a specific term of years or for someone's life. Thereafter, the lead trust assets are either (a) returned to the person who created the lead trust; this person also receives an income tax deduction when the trust is created or (b) passed on to children, grandchildren or other loved ones and applicable estate or gift taxes on the value of the gift to the child or other heir are reduced or completely eliminated.

Gifts of Life Insurance

A donor can name Duke as a primary or contingent beneficiary of a life insurance policy. If the donor retains any control over the policy, no income tax deduction is allowed. However, if Duke is named both the sole owner and the beneficiary of a paid up policy, the donor may receive an immediate charitable deduction for the lesser of the policy’s fair market value or the net premiums paid and additional premiums paid by the donor may also be tax deductible.

Retained Life Estate

You may generate a current income tax deduction by giving a home or farm to Duke, while retaining the right to use the property during your lifetime. The property will also be removed from your taxable estate.