Transform your assets into a lasting legacy at Duke through a beneficiary designation.

Download our 2026 Beneficiary Designations Guide to discover how you can make a high-impact gift, streamline your estate planning, and support the future of Duke University.

Create your legacy

PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE

Including Duke in your estate plan may allow you to do more than you thought possible while achieving your own personal and financial goals. Gain potential tax savings and maintain access to your assets in case you need them.

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MAKE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT

Gifts of appreciated stocks, mutual funds or real estate held for more than one year may provide special tax advantages. Donate these assets outright or use them to establish a gift that pays you income.

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RECEIVE INCOME AS YOU GIVE

A life income gift – such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable trust – provides future support for Duke while also providing a tax deduction and payments to you or your loved ones. Payments can be fixed, variable or deferred.

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Your Beneficiary Designation Can Build Duke’s Tomorrow 

Name Duke as a beneficiary to support education, research, and innovation—while making a lasting, tax-wise impact.

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The Duke Doctor Who Helped Launch a Nobel Career—and Inspired a Legacy

A $1M gift honors Duke mentors and fuels groundbreaking research by future physician-scientists.

Read the inspiring story.

Calculate your gift benefits

Discover how your gift to Duke benefits the university, you and your loved ones.

Calculate your gift now

Blueprints

Duke’s gift planning blog features insights, charitable planning news and stories of inspiration to help you plan for your future.

Read the latest posts

Not sure where to start?

Our team of charitable giving professionals can work with you and your advisors to develop a gift plan that meets your personal and philanthropic goals.