Planned Giving

• Qualify for a deduction for the full value of your gift
• Utilize the deduction for up to 60 percent of your Adjusted Gross Income
• Carry forward any unused deduction for up to five additional years

Learn more about how to give »

Your IRA can support Harvard Medical School through a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) during your lifetime or by naming HMS as a beneficiary of all or a portion of your IRA.

Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)

How It Works

If you are at least 70.5 years old, you can direct a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to HMS, transferring up to $111,000 from your IRA as a gift. Moreover, for those who are at least 73, QCDs count toward the IRA owner’s required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year.

Additionally, donors can now roll up to $55,000 of IRA funds into charitable gift annuities, with limitations. Please contact giftplanning@hms.harvard.edu to learn whether this is a viable option for you.

• CHECK
  Download the IRA Rollover letter of instruction and request that your IRA administrator issues a check for your selected dollar amount directly to HMS.
• STOCKS/SECURITIES
  View the “Stock, Bond, or Mutual Fund Gifts” section below for instructions.
• WIRE TRANSFERS
  Direct transfer to the following account:
  Bank of America, 100 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110
  President and Fellows of Harvard College, ADS account
  Account #: 9429263621
  Ach ABA: 011000138
  Wire ABA: 026009593
  Swift Code: BOFAUS3N
• Once the wire transfer arrangements have been made, please provide the following information to giftplanning@hms.harvard.edu:
  Name/location of bank sending the transfer 
  Amount of gift 
  Date of transfer
  Name of the HMS fund, program, or research area the gift is supporting 

Benefits

• Satisfy your annual RMD if you’re at least 73 years old
• Exclude the distribution from your taxable income
• Support the HMS area or program that matters most to you
• Fulfill a pledge

Beneficiary Designation

How It Works

• Name HMS as a full or partial beneficiary of the remainder of your IRA, 401(k), 403b, Keogh, or other qualified retirement account. 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. Complete the form and submit it to your administrator. In many cases, the process can be completed online.

Benefits

• Fulfill your financial, tax, and estate planning goals
• Reduce or eliminate estate tax
• Create enduring impact at HMS 

Tax identification # 04-2103580
HMS gifts are managed under the umbrella of the President and Fellows of Harvard College’s federal tax identification number.

How It Works

Owning real estate that has appreciated in value since it was purchased or inherited can be wonderful. However, that real estate can become a significant tax burden that you no longer want to manage. If so, consider helping yourself while helping HMS by making a gift of real estate. You might also consider using your property to help generate income for the future. Here are some flexible arrangements to meet your needs:

• Give your entire property by transferring the property deed to HMS. Harvard will sell the property, and the proceeds will support the area of your choosing. One hundred percent of its appraised market value is deductible for income tax purposes.
• Give a percentage of your property by deeding a percentage interest in your property. When it sells, you and HMS share proportionately in the proceeds. The income tax deduction from your gift can offset the capital gain generated by the sale.
• Receive income for life by funding a charitable trust or gift annuity with your property. You and another beneficiary will receive annual income for life. Trust assets can be invested in the Harvard endowment and provide variable income for life, while gift annuities provide fixed income for life. Both gifts qualify for an immediate income tax deduction, plus you can save on estate taxes and minimize or avoid capital gains tax.
• Leave your property through your will or trust and reduce or eliminate estate taxes while fulfilling your financial, tax, and estate planning goals.

Acceptable Properties

• Personal residence
• Vacation home
• Farm or agricultural land
• Ranch
• Commercial property or lot
• Undeveloped or unimproved land

Benefits

• Obtain assistance from Harvard in selling your property
• Secure a charitable income tax deduction and potentially save on gift and estate taxes
• Receive quarterly income for life from a trust or annuity
• Unlock appreciated assets without incurring capital gains tax
• Avoid separate investment management fees for certain gifts and access broad investment diversification through Harvard Management Company
• Improve health and well-being for all
• Create enduring impact at HMS
   

For more information, please contact our gift planning team at 800-922-1782 or email giftplanning@hms.harvard.edu.

U.S. Stocks and Bonds

Step 1: Provide the following details to your broker: 

• DTC #: 2669 
• Receiving Institution: Northern Trust 
• Account Title/Registration: President and Fellows of Harvard College* 
• Account #: 70-19449 
• Tax Identification #: 04-2103580
  *This is the legal name of Harvard University and the Account Title that must be used to ensure delivery. 

Step 2: Email the Harvard Security Gifts Team at donorsecuritygifts@harvard.edu and copy Harvard Medical School at hmsgiving@hms.harvard.edu and provide the following: 

• Name of security 
• Number of shares 
• Name of the donor with HMS class year, if applicable 
• Designation of the gift 
• Brokerage or bank where the shares are held 
• Cost basis and acquisition date (This information is being collected in relation to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017) 

Mutual Funds or Foreign Stock

Coordinate with the Life Income and Security Gifts Administration team. For the team to determine the appropriate instructions, please call 866-845-6596 or email donorsecuritygifts@harvard.edu.

Benefits

• Qualify for a deduction for the mean market value of a security you have owned for at least one year
• Utilize the deduction for up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income
• Carry forward any unused deduction for up to five additional years
• Reduce potential capital gains tax