Duke students on West Campus | Photo: Duke U Photography

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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August is National Make a Will Month. We previously shared why having a will is important. If you don’t already have a will or revocable trust in place, now is the time to make arrangements! You can start by making a list of all the assets you own — bank accounts, cryptocurrency accounts, investments, life […]

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When economic conditions shift, so do the tools individuals use for long-term financial planning and decision-making. In the current economic climate, factors like rising inflation and increased cost-of-living expenses are driving new conversations with donors seeking charitable solutions. One strategy gaining traction in recent months involves the testamentary charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT). Testamentary CRUTs are […]

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It’s a new year – a time for reflection, resolutions and rejuvenation. We find ourselves setting goals and making plans for the next twelve months: “Exercise more.”  “Save more money.”  “Take up pickleball.” As uncomfortable, morbid or depressing as it may sound (perhaps even the antithesis of a happy new year), you may want to […]

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It’s been a while since Jim Vogeley threw a television off the roof of a building. These days, he’s interested in quietly helping fix problems rather than spectacularly breaking things. The TV stunt, which was his contribution to the engineering school’s version of the classic egg-drop challenge, was admittedly a one-time thing — just college […]

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Kelly Braddy Van Winkle says she has finally stopped bouncing. For years, when she was introduced to innovative, interesting new work at Duke, she dove into it, supporting it financially and as a volunteer … until the next interesting idea came along and she bounced over to it. Then Van Winkle learned about the Human […]

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Major life events mark our most important milestones. As we all continue to adjust in these uncertain times, flexibility is key. We reconsider what is most important to us, re-examine our plans, and try our best to prepare for what’s to come. If you are looking for a way to have an impact at Duke […]

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In this three-part series, we’ll explore strategic gift options and introduce you to Duke alumnae who have made lasting impacts on the university through planned giving. Whether you are just starting to consider how a legacy gift can work for you, or are already working with a financial advisor or estate attorney, we are here […]

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Major life events mark our most important milestones, and, let’s face it, we’re in the midst of a major life event that none of us ever expected. In times like these, flexibility can be key. We can reconsider what is most important to us, re-examine our plans, and try our best to prepare for what’s […]

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There is no time like the present (while you are still working) to plan for fun-filled days of blissful retirement in a tax-wise manner. During our busy, sometimes frenetic, working years, it can be difficult to take time to consider retirement planning options that include a charitable gift component. But the effort may be well […]

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Financial planning is really about life planning. Throughout my career as a financial planner and advisor, I’ve had many conversations about long-term care options and discuss the importance of addressing the near- and far-term events of the future. I’m also someone who has gone through the process of long-term care planning in my own life, […]

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