Sample Bequest Language for Your Will

In order to create a bequest, you should first speak with your attorney. Your attorney can help you include a bequest to CSUSB in your estate plan. We have provided some sample bequest language as a reference to assist you and your attorney:

1. Specific Bequest

   If you are considering making an outright gift to CSUSB, we recommend the following language:

   Bequest of a Specific Dollar Amount

   "I hereby give, devise, and bequeath the sum of $ ____________________ to the CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation, a non-profit organization located at 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407, Federal Tax ID: #45-2255077, for Cal State San Bernardino's general use and purpose."

   Bequest of Specific Personal Property

   "I hereby give, devise, and bequeath [Description of Property] to the CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation, a non-profit organization located at 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407, Federal Tax ID: #45-2255077, for Cal State San Bernardino's general use and purpose."

   Bequest of Specific Real Estate

   "I hereby give, devise, and bequeath all of the right, title, and interest in and to the real estate located at [Address or Description of Property] to the CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation, a non-profit organization located at 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407, Federal Tax ID: #45-2255077, for Cal State San Bernardino's general use and purpose."

   Bequest of Percentage of an Estate

   "I hereby give, devise, and bequeath _______________ % of my total estate, determined as of the date of my death, to the CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation, a non-profit organization located at 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407, Federal Tax ID: #45-2255077, for Cal State San Bernardino's general use and purpose."

2. Residual Bequest

   "I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to the CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation, a non-profit organization located at 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407, Federal Tax ID: #45-2255077, [All or a Percentage] of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to be used for Cal State San Bernardino's general use and purpose."

3. Contingent Bequest

   "If [Primary Beneficiary] does not survive me, then I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to the CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation, a non-profit organization located at 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407, Federal Tax ID: #45-2255077, [Description of Property] to be used for Cal State San Bernardino's general use and purpose."

Restricted Bequests

If you are considering a bequest but would like to ensure that your bequest will be used for a specific purpose, please let us know. We would be happy to work with you and your attorney to help you identify ways to give and meet your charitable objectives. We will also work with you and your attorney to craft language to accomplish your goals.

If you are making a restricted bequest, we recommend that your attorney include the following provision to give CSUSB flexibility should it no longer be possible for CSUSB to use your gift as you originally intended:

"If, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation, it shall become impossible for Cal State San Bernardino to use this bequest to accomplish the specific purposes of this bequest, Cal State San Bernardino may use the income and principal of this gift for such purpose or purposes as the Board determines is most closely related to the restricted purpose of my bequest."

For more information, please contact the Office of Planned Giving by email at [email protected] or by phone at (855) 204-0049.