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Blueprints Blog

Gift planning insights to build a plan for your future

The Gift Planning Blueprints blog offers planning insights, charitable giving news and stories of inspiration to help you plan for your future.

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As the year draws to a close, we wanted to share some tax-savvy opportunities to maximize your charitable gifts. Of course, please check with your financial advisor regarding any gift options!  Year-end  giving strategies:    And it’s never too early to think about next tax year! The IRS recently announced several tax updates for 2025.  Qualified […]

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Duke is very much a part of Krista Patterson ’03, J.D.’06, LL.M.’06, and Jonathan Wigser’s, M.B.A.’94 personal and volunteer life. They got engaged and married at Duke, and between the two of them hold four Duke degrees and have served on five councils and boards. In honor of their deep connection to Duke, the couple […]

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Act now to support your financial well-being and Duke’s future with a charitable gift annuity. For many individuals and couples, funding a charitable gift annuity can be a simple, tax-savvy way to support the future of Duke University while enjoying the security of a fixed income for life, independent of market performance. How does it […]

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On April 24, 2016, everything changed for the May family.  Brooke May Taylor ’98 was driving in downtown Seattle when a city ambulance ran a red light, struck her car, and spun it into a traffic signal box and a tree.   Brooke suffered a traumatic brain injury that interrupted her career as an award-winning intellectual […]

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A qualified charitable distribution, or “QCD,” can be an easy and tax-efficient way to make an immediate impact at Duke. Taxpayers who are 70 ½ or older can support Duke people, places, and programs using a tax-free transfer from a traditional IRA.  Benefits of a QCD gift: Ready to learn more? Download Duke’s QCD guide […]

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In these long “dog days” of summer it is difficult to contemplate year-end – much less year-end tax planning – but given we are five months from December 31, let’s do it anyway. Starting your tax planning early allows you to take advantage of various tax-saving opportunities that can positively impact your financial situation. Here […]

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Chandler (Chan) Smith’s journey from an environmentally conscious undergrad at Duke to a pioneer in environmental management is a testament to his passion for the field and his commitment to giving back to the community that helped shape his future. Chan graduated with a BA in 1972, just before embarking on a transformative experience in […]

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Duke Gardens is a cherished haven for Andy and Suzanne Wheatcraft, dedicated supporters whose connection to gardens spans a lifetime. Raised in the concrete landscape of Baltimore, Andy’s early encounters with green spaces fueled his passion for horticulture, forestry and conservation. When Andy became a Duke student, the Gardens played a pivotal role in his […]

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Charitable bequests offer a flexible way to support the university while maintaining access to your funds in case you need them. Bequests can help you achieve your personal and financial goals while providing vital support for the Duke students, faculty, departments, and programs that matter most to you. Two of the most common charitable bequest […]

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Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) alumna Bettye Martin Musham has committed $8 million to the School. Her gift is the second-largest donation by an individual in the School’s history and the largest ever for faculty, students, and programs. Musham’s gift, via her estate, allots $5 million to endow the William and Bettye Martin Musham […]

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