I flip over Flip CRUTs! I love “flip” charitable remainder unitrusts (flip CRUTs). This special type of gift planning vehicle is flexible and allows some donors to achieve their financial and philanthropic goals in a way that standard unitrusts or gift annuities cannot. A flip CRUT is a type of charitable remainder unitrust permitted by […]

The unexpected onslaught of COVID-19 has produced many responses – including the Federal Reserve reducing interest rates to historic lows. One key interest rate — known as the IRS discount rate (or Internal Revenue Code section “7520 rate”) — directly affects the deduction value of certain types of charitable gifts. The last time this rate approached […]

Charitable trusts can be a great way to support the causes you’re most passionate about while achieving your own financial goals. In this blog series, we will address three types of charitable trusts, including charitable remainder unitrusts, non-grantor charitable lead trusts and flip charitable remainder unitrusts. FAQ: Charitable Remainder Unitrusts What is a charitable remainder […]

In December 2019, President Trump signed into law several changes to the rules regarding retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs. Congress named the legislation the “SECURE Act,” which stands for the “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act.” Some taxpayers may feel a bit more secure with these changes in place, or at […]

Have you considered supporting charity but felt unsure of the financial impact? If so, creating a charitable gift annuity or trust may be the right option for you! These types of gifts are known as “life income gifts” because they pay you or your loved ones an income for life or a period of years. […]

In an effort to stimulate the U.S. economy following the onset of The Great Recession in 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank reduced interest rates to historic lows. Post-2008 fixed income investments—including bonds, Certificates of Deposit, and money market funds—fell dramatically and investors who relied heavily on those assets suffered the most. Likewise, the payout rates […]

You’ve worked hard…for decades and it’s about time for you to enter the next phase in your life, one in which you’ll have time to catch-up on all those books you’ve been meaning to read, travel to those capitals (foreign and domestic) that you’ve always wanted to see, and perhaps volunteer for that charity you’ve […]

Charitable gifts of real estate, such as a vacation home, rental or investment property, farm, or (sometimes) a primary residence can make a big impact at Duke.  Gifts of real estate provide scholarship support to numerous students, strengthen our academic programs, support athletic, engineering and other campus facilities.  At the same time, a gift of […]

It has been nearly 40 years since Jeff Howard ’76 and his wife, Carson Dowd Howard ’76, roamed the “Gothic wonderland” they loved as classmates at Duke. Still today, these Duke alumni, and now Duke parents, continue to find inspiration in the energy of intelligent, motivated learners and limitless options available to students at their […]

“Duke opens doors to opportunities and challenges us to expand our minds and to pursue lifelong learning,” said trustee and former Duke Alumni Association (DAA) president Jeff Howard ’76 and his wife, Carson Dowd Howard ’76.  As alumni and Duke parents, the couple continues to be inspired by the energy of intelligent and motivated learners […]