Charitable Lead Trust

A Charitable Lead Trust (CLT) is a powerful strategic tool for donors who wish to make a transformational impact on the University of Notre Dame while simultaneously transferring wealth to the next generation at a reduced tax cost.
 
A charitable lead trust allows you to support Notre Dame while potentially reducing or eliminating gift and estate taxes when transferring assets to your family. For a predetermined period (a term of years or lifetime), the trust pays a "lead" interest to Notre Dame to support the colleges, programs, or scholarships of your choice. When the trust term ends, the remaining principal and any appreciation are distributed to your children, grandchildren, or other designated heirs. By contributing a privately held business interest to a charitable lead trust, you can provide support to Notre Dame today while preserving assets for future generations.

Ways to Contribute

  • Cash

    Cash

    Cash donations to the University of Notre Dame aren't just for immediate needs; they can also fund various planned giving options.

    You can make an outright gift of cash in several ways:

    Online: Use the secure online donation form.
    Phone: Call (574) 631-5150 with your credit card details.
    Mail: Send a check or money order, indicating any specific purpose in the memo or an accompanying letter.
    Wire Transfer: Contact Donor Services at (574) 631-5150 or givegift@nd.edu for instructions.

    For year-end tax planning, remember that mailed checks postmarked by December 31st qualify for a deduction in that tax year.

    Provides multiple giving methods—online, by phone, mail, or wire transfer—and includes guidance for year-end tax planning, noting that donations postmarked by December 31st count for that tax year. 

    Contact information is provided for donor assistance.
  • Securities

    Securities

    The simplest way to transfer securities, such as stocks, to Notre Dame is through a depository trust company (DTC) transfer. For more information on how to transfer securities or to make a gift of securities, please contact Allison Thornton at 574-631-2591 or acullers@nd.edu. Please have the following information available when you call:

    • The name and type of securities to be gifted (public, restricted, mutual fund, etc.).

    • The number of shares you intend to gift.

    • The date you intend to make the gift.

    • How you would like the gift directed.

    • Your name and address.

    Complete instructions on making a gift of securities

How it Could Look

Dr. and Mrs. Miller, Notre Dame alumni, established a $2,000,000 charitable lead trust to support their alma mater while passing assets to their grandchildren with minimal estate taxes. For 15 years, the trust paid $100,000 annually to the College of Science, giving them an immediate gift tax charitable deduction. At the end of the term, the remaining assets transferred to their grandchildren with greatly reduced taxes, allowing the Millers to support Notre Dame’s mission and efficiently transfer wealth to their family.

Next Steps

1 Contact Notre Dame Gift Planning

To learn how a Charitable Lead Trust can support the University of Notre Dame while advancing your estate planning goals, please contact the Office of Gift Planning at giftplanning@nd.edu or 574-631-7164.