Give and receive. You earn income during your lifetime and HMS benefits from your gift.

When you establish a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) or Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) to benefit Harvard Medical School, you can be assured that your gift will have the tangible impact you want: income for life for you while supporting our mission to improve health and well-being for all.

Table of Contents

Charitable Gift Annuities

A CGA allows you to make a gift to HMS now, receive fixed, annual income payments for life, and ultimately support the area of your choosing at HMS when the gift terminates.

The payout rate is based on the donor’s age and the start date of payments. Different customizations, such as flexible deferred, can be considered to best fit your charitable and financial goals. Best of all, your annuity is backed by the assets of Harvard University, which maintains an AAA credit rating. Current gift annuity rates are 5.3% for donors age 60, 6.4% for donors age 70, and 8.3% for donors age 80. Rates for New York residents may vary due to state requirements. Please contact us for more information.

Graphic illustrating how a CGA works: Donors sets up a CGA, receives income, and ultimately the CGA benefits HMS

Benefits
  • Receive fixed life income for one or two beneficiaries
  • Qualify for a charitable income tax deduction and you may save on capital gains tax liability if funded with appreciated securities
  • Enjoy payments that are fully backed by the assets of the University and administered by Harvard Management Company
  • Improve health and well-being for all
  • Create enduring impact at HMS

How to Fund
  • Cash
  • Appreciated Securities
  • Real Estate

Next Steps

Charitable Remainder Trusts

A CRT provides income to you and/or your beneficiaries, based on a percentage of the trust's value (typically 5-6 percent). Upon the passing of the income beneficiaries, your trust will support an area of your choosing at HMS.

Invest the assets in Harvard’s endowment or in a manner geared to pay income taxed at lower rates. Harvard will serve as trustee, direct the investment of the trust assets, and oversee all legal, accounting and administrative matters, at no additional cost to the donor.

Illustration of how a CRUT works

Benefits
  • Receive income for life, with potential for growth over time (payout rates typically range from 5% to 6.5%)
  • Support your spouse or any number of beneficiaries
  • Unlock appreciated assets without incurring capital gains tax liability
  • Investment management services provided by either Harvard Management Company (the Endowment Strategy) or TIAA Kaspick (the Tax Efficient Strategies) with no separate management fee
  • Secure a federal charitable income tax deduction and potentially save on gift and estate taxes
  • Improve health and well-being for all
  • Create enduring impact at HMS

How to Fund
  • Cash
  • Publicly-traded Securities
  • Real Estate
  • Art, antiques, or collections

Next Steps

Donor Spotlight

Charitable Gift Annuity

Shirley Marks, MD ’73, MPH ’76

"I was a recipient of financial aid at HMS, so I truly understand the power of that extra support toward obtaining a medical education."

Contact us

Donor Spotlight

Charitable Gift Annuity

Lisa Mayer, EdM ’81

“I work with the faculty, students, staff, and researchers at Harvard Medical School. So it is a privilege to give to an institution I know well.”

Contact us

Donor Spotlight

Charitable Gift Annuity

Bob Peterson, MD ’82

“HMS instills an expectation of excellence, and even though I am no longer in the Boston area, I feel an obligation to try to make a difference.”

Contact us
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.