Giving

Planned Giving

Leave a Legacy

Through planned giving, you can use a variety of strategies and assets to support HBS during your lifetime or at your passing, while also fulfilling your financial planning goals.

Wills and Estate Plans

Bequest

Including HBS in your will is an easy way to leave a legacy at the School.

Retirement Plan or Life Insurance

Naming HBS as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan, such as a 401(k) or IRA, is a tax-efficient way to support the School.

Gifts That Provide for You and Others

Charitable Gift Annuity

A CGA provides secure, fixed payments for life to one or two people, and will ultimately support the HBS purpose you specify. To learn how to do this through your IRA, please contact us (see below).

Charitable Remainder Trust

With a CRT, Harvard pays you and/or others you choose variable income for life, and uses the remainder as you directed.

Charitable Lead Trust

A CLT enables you to support HBS and transfer assets to children or other heirs at a reduced tax cost.

Gifts of Assets

Complex Assets

Tangible personal property (e.g. artwork or jewelry), private-company stock, pre-IPO shares, private equity, and hedge fund investments may be used to make a gift.

Real Estate

You can use real estate that you no longer need or enjoy, such as a personal residence, vacation home, or commercial property, to support HBS.

Simplify Your Philanthropy

Donor-Advised Fund

Establishing a donor-advised fund at Harvard can help you achieve your philanthropic goals for HBS, as well as other charities.

Learn how to make a gift to HBS from your existing donor-advised fund.

John C. Whitehead Society

Recognizing alumni and friends who make planned gifts to HBS

Learn More

The Power of Planned Gifts

Showing Appreciation

Charles P. Waite (MBA 1959) credited HBS with changing the course of his life and, in appreciation, left a lasting legacy at the School.

Sustaining Excellence

Learn how planned gifts—from alumni across generations—play a vital role in sustaining the School’s excellence in teaching, research, and practice.

Let's Work Together

Anne McClintock
Senior Director of Development, Planned Giving

877-448-3864 (toll free)
pg@hbs.edu

Request More Information

FAQ

What is planned giving?: Planned giving encompasses a variety of strategies that enable you to support HBS during your lifetime or at your passing, while also fulfilling your tax, estate, and/or financial planning goals.
What is the School’s Federal Tax Identification Number?: HBS gifts are managed under the umbrella of Harvard University’s Federal Tax Identification Number, which is 04–2103580. Harvard University’s legal name is President and Fellows of Harvard College.
How can I let HBS know that I’ve included the School in my will?: Contact the HBS Development Office at pg@hbs.edu or 877.448.3864. We would be pleased to learn more about your bequest intention and thank you with membership in the John C. Whitehead Society.
What is the John C. Whitehead Society?: The Society recognizes alumni and friends who make planned gifts to HBS. It was named in honor of the late John C. Whitehead (MBA 1947), a visionary business leader, government official, and philanthropist.
How old do I need to be to make a planned gift?: It is never too early to plan for the future. HBS’s planned giving donors include alumni from every decade. While some types of planned gifts have a minimum age, you can include HBS in your will at any time.

Is there a minimum amount to make a planned gift?

While some types of planned gifts require a minimum amount, you can include a gift of any amount in your will.

Do you have suggested bequest language that I can share with my attorney?

You can find suggested bequest language to include in your will on our website or contact the HBS Development Office at pg@hbs.edu or 877.448.3864 for help in crafting language that reflects your wishes and makes a lasting difference at HBS.

Who should an executor or an attorney representing an estate in probate contact?

Please contact the Trust Administration team within Harvard’s Alumni and Development Services Department at donorestates@harvard.edu.

When do I need to fulfill my pledge?

Guidelines for payments differ for reunion and non-reunion (annual giving) pledges.

Reunion Pledges:
For the reunion campaigns concluding on December 31, 2024 (MBA 1998, 1993, 1988, 1983, 1978): Pledges must be made by December 31, 2024, and should be fulfilled by June 30, 2025.

For all other reunion campaigns: Pledges must be made by June 30 following the reunion and should be fulfilled by the following December 31.

Non-Reunion (Annual Giving) Pledges:
Pledges must be paid by the end of the fiscal year, June 30, to be counted in that year’s giving totals and listed in HBS's annual Report on Giving.

For questions about an existing pledge or to customize your pledge fulfillment schedule, please contact HBS Gift Management at gifts@hbs.edu or 617.495.6207.