Albert Einstein may not have thought about the future, but you may decide you would like to do some financial planning. Your bequest to the Institute will create a legacy of scholarship - and will associate your name or the name of your family with the Institute permanently. Bequests may consist of cash, securities, property, or works of art. An unrestricted bequest enables the Institute to direct your gift to where it will have the greatest impact. However, you may wish to fund a specific area or interest - a School, Faculty salaries, Memberships,  libraries, or to maintain facilities. You may underwrite research.

If your will provides a restricted bequest, however, it is important that the bequest be described as broadly as possible and that it includes a clause to allow for other uses under changed conditions in the future. If you do have a specific project in mind, please discuss your ideas with us, so that you can be assured that your intentions are understood. What's more - we would like to thank you!

Bequests can take several forms, including:

• Specific Bequests: The Institute receives a specific dollar amount.

• Residuary Bequests: The Institute receives all or a percentage of the remainder of the estate after specific amounts bequeathed to other beneficiaries have been distributed and estate-related expenses have been paid.

• Contingent Bequests: The Institute receives a part or all of your estate only if the other beneficiaries do not survive you.
  
  
• Testamentary Trusts: A testamentary charitable remainder trust can be created through a will and can provide income for a family member or friend. The Institute receives the remainder after a specified number of years or after the trust beneficiary dies. Alternatively, by providing payments first to the Institute for a number of years, a testamentary lead trust can be used to pass assets to heirs with significant tax advantages to the estate.