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 .

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 4.9% for donors age 60, 6% for donors age 70, and 7.7% for donors age 80.

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

  • Benefits
    • Receive a fixed income to you for life and/or others you name as beneficiaries (typically a portion of these payments is tax-free)
    • 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 

  • How to Fund
    • Cash
    • Appreciated Securities

     

  • Next Steps

Charitable Remainder Trusts

A CRT provides lifetime 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 Management Company will handle the investment of the trust assets, as well as 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
    • Support your spouse or other beneficiaries
    • Unlock appreciated assets without incurring capital gains tax liability 
    • Access broad investment diversification and avoid separate management fees through Harvard Management Company
    • Secure a federal charitable income tax deduction and potentially save on gift and estate taxes

  • How to Fund
    • Cash
    • Publicly-traded Securities
    • Closely-held Stock
    • 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."

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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.”

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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.”

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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.