For many alumni and friends, an estate provision is the easiest and best way to make a gift to the School.

Through your will, retirement plan, or other estate plans, you can name HMS as the beneficiary of a portion of your estate or of particular assets in your estate.

Table of Contents

Wills & Trusts

Including HMS in your will or living trust is a simple way to make a gift—and it may enable you to give more than you thought was possible. You retain control of your assets during your lifetime, and you can easily update your plan if your circumstances change. A bequest costs nothing now but provides future support for the causes most important to you.

  • Benefits
    • Fulfill your financial, tax, and estate planning goals
    • Reduce or eliminate estate tax
    • Improve health and well-being for all
    • Create enduring impact at HMS

  • How to Fund
    • Cash
    • Appreciated Securities
    • Mutual Securities
    • Real Estate
    • Personal Property
    • Closely Held Stock

  • Next Steps
    • Determine if you want to give cash or a specific asset such as real estate or personal property. 
    • Share the following language with your attorney:
      “I give ( dollars or percent of the residue of my estate) to the President and Fellows of Harvard College, a Massachusetts educational, charitable corporation, for the benefit of Harvard Medical School (optional: to benefit education, research, or another priority area).”


    Tax Identification #04-2103580
    HMS gifts are managed under the umbrella of Harvard University’s Federal Tax Identification Number.

Beneficiary Gifts

Designating HMS as a beneficiary of your IRA, investment account, savings account, or donor-advised fund is as easy as filling out a form. These assets make for tax-wise gifts to HMS—especially retirement accounts, which can be the most highly-taxed asset many people hold and are subject to income tax when distributed if left to individuals.

  • Benefits
    • Fulfill your financial, tax, and estate planning goals
    • Reduce or eliminate estate tax
    • Modify your beneficiary designations at any time
    • Improve health and well-being for all
    • Create enduring impact at HMS

  • How to Fund
    • Retirement Plan Assets
    • Life Insurance
    • Bank Accounts, Certificates of Deposit, or Brokerage Accounts
    • Donor-Advised Funds

  • Next Steps
    • Name HMS as a full or partial beneficiary of the remainder of your IRA, 401(k), 403(b),Keogh, tax-deferred annuity, or other qualified retirement plan.
    • Request a change of beneficiary form from your plan administrator and name the “President and Fellows of Harvard College, for the benefit of Harvard Medical School” as a beneficiary, along with the percentage you would like HMS to receive.


    Tax Identification #04-2103580
    HMS gifts are managed under the umbrella of Harvard University’s Federal Tax Identification Number.

Retained Life Estate

Transfer your property to HMS and continue to live in it for your lifetime and that of your spouse. You qualify for an immediate income tax deduction, and the property is removed from your estate for tax purposes.

Donor Spotlight

Bequest Intention

Douglas Zipes, MD ’64, and Joan Zipes

"Attending schools like Dartmouth and HMS would have been unattainable without the scholarship and financial aid I received. Now I want to give back and help the next generation realize their dreams of attending medical school."

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Donor Spotlight

Beneficiary Designation

David Nathan, MD ’55

"Giving to HMS is a philanthropic priority because I owe my career to HMS and its affiliates."

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Donor Spotlight

Bequest Intention

Martin Mihm Jr., MD

“My gift reassures me that I have some part in the future and excellence of Harvard Medical School."

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Ezekiel Hersey Council Wordmark

Please let us know if you have included HMS in your estate plans so we can celebrate you as a member of the Ezekiel Hersey Council, which recognizes those who have made legacy gifts to HMS.