Official Language for Including the Divinity School in a Will

If your clients are interested in supporting the Divinity School with a gift in their wills, we have provided sample bequest language that they can bring to their estate planning attorneys.

Sample Language

Unrestricted Gifts

For an unrestricted gift that allows Duke Divinity School to determine how to use the funds based on the most pressing needs, use the following language for your will and/or trust:

"I give to Duke University Divinity School, a nonprofit corporation currently located at Office of Gift Planning, Duke University, Box 90600, Durham, NC 27708, or its successor thereto, _________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted charitable use and purpose."

Restricted Gifts

To designate your provision for a particular purpose:

"I give to Duke University Divinity School, a nonprofit corporation currently located at Office of Gift Planning, Duke University, Box 90600, Durham, NC 27708, or its successor thereto, _________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property]. This gift should be used for (state purpose) if and so long as Duke University Divinity School determines that the need exists. If Duke University Divinity School shall determine at the outset or at a later time that the need does not exist, or no longer exists, or for some reason it is not possible (or prudent) to administer my gift as originally intended, then Duke University Divinity School may, in its sole and uncontrolled discretion, direct the use of my bequest for a purpose related as closely as possible to that stated above."