50th Reunion Gift Program
The 50th Gift
There are many ways to give to your class gift purposes or another College priority of personal interest. In addition to cash, outright gifts could include those made with appreciated securities or qualified contributions from an IRA. Planned gifts are those made as part of your overall financial and/or estate planning. In many cases, these gifts provide tax advantages and even an income stream for you and/or loved ones.
All contributions and pledges received by Hamilton over the five-year period between your 45th and 50th reunions count toward the total 50th class gift announced at your 50th reunion. This includes Hamilton Fund gifts and pledges, gifts and pledges for your class gift purpose, and any other gifts designated toward a different college priority.
Class Gift Purpose
The unique personality of every Hamilton class is reflected in the special designated class gift purpose(s) created for the 50th reunion as selected by reunion and class leadership and College leaders. Recent gift purposes have included:
- The Class of 1969 Alexander Hamilton Scholarship, in honor of Alexander Hamilton and in recognition of the principals of the founding fathers
- The Class of 1970 Alexander Hamilton Scholarship, to make a lasting contribution to Hamilton’s scholarship program
- The Class of 1971 Memorial Scholarship, in memory of classmates they have lost over the years and in support of Hamilton’s scholarship program
- The Class of 1972 Alexander Hamilton Scholarship, to make a lasting contribution to Hamilton’s scholarship program
- Kirkland Charter Class Kirkland Green, an outdoor amphitheater and landscape enhancements, reflecting the spirit of Kirkland Everlasting
- Class of 1973 - The Professor Robert L. Simon Scholarship, in honor of philosophy Professor Bob Simon, an engaging teacher, advisor, mentor, and friend, and in support of Hamilton's scholarship program
- The Class of 1974 Scholarship, with contributions from members of both Hamilton and Kirkland Classes of 1974, to make a lasting contribution to Hamilton’s scholarship program
- The Kirkland Class of 1974's 50th reunion gift is the complete renovation of a courtyard space outside of List, home to the Literature and Creative Writing departments. The courtyard will be used as a gathering space for students, alumni and visitors, and will enhance "Kirkland Everlasting" on the campus.
Each class will discuss opportunities and determine its own selection process to commemorate the milestone event. Please contact Victoria Kidd ’94, Director of Milestone Reunions, with any questions at vkidd@hamilton.edu or 315-859-3338.
Ways to Give
Outright Gifts
There are many ways to give to Hamilton, and all types of gifts will be included in the 50th reunion class gift total. In addition to cash, outright gifts could include those made with appreciated securities or qualified distributions from an IRA. Gifts initiated by relatives, foundations, and corporations, including matching gifts, can also count.
Please note: Gifts can be split between the Hamilton Fund and the class scholarship. Please indicate in the designation field.
Outright Pledges
Outright gifts toward class gift purposes and/or the Hamilton Fund can be pledged and made over periods of up to five years with the full amount of the pledge crediting the 50th Reunion class total.
To make a multi-year pledge between one and five years out, or to contribute to an area other than your class gift purpose, please contact Victoria Kidd ‘94 at vkidd@hamilton.edu or call 315-859-3338.
Planned Gifts
Consider becoming a member of the Joel Bristol Associate recognition society by including Hamilton in your estate plans.
Contributions to your 50th class gift total can also include planned (deferred) gifts ranging from real estate and other unique assets, revocable bequest pledges, and life-income gifts like Charitable Gift Annuities and Charitable Remainder Trusts. In many cases, these gifts provide tax advantages and even an income stream for you and/or loved ones.
Hamilton 50th Reunion Gift Committee
Class volunteers will reach out to their classmates to build the class gift through individual conversations with classmates. As everyone’s circumstances differ, often a conversation with a member of the Hamilton Gift Planning team can help an individual determine the best option to meet personal objectives.
Visit the Planned Giving website to explore 50th reunion gift possibilities or contact Julie Ross, Director of Gift Planning at jross3@hamilton.edu.
FAQs
Yes, we encourage you to split your gift and spread your commitment by making pledges up to four years. This is a wonderful way to demonstrate your continued commitment to the College. The full amount of the pledge counts towards the Total 50th Class Gift.
Yes, the 50th reunion gifts may be made for any purpose acceptable to the College and count towards the total 50th Reunion Class Gift. To discuss possibilities, contact Victoria Kidd '94, Director of Milestone Reunions at 315-859-3338 or vkidd@hamilton.edu.
Planned gifts are those made as part of your overall financial and/or estate planning. There are many ways to structure a gift to Hamilon and a wide variety of assets to use. Planned gifts will count toward the total 50th Class Gift, while in many cases, providing tax advantages and even an income stream. Visit hamilton.edu/planningyourgift for more information.
A popular and often highly tax advantaged way to make a 50th reunion gift is via an IRA. An IRA qualified charitable distribution (QCD) allows individuals aged 70 1/2 and older to make outright direct transfers of up to $100,000 per year from traditional individual retirement accounts to qualified charities without having to count for transfers as income for federal tax purposes. Please contact Hamilton for more information.
Please contact a member of the Gift Committee or Victoria Kidd '94 (vkidd@hamilton.edu or 315 859-3338) for a personalized 50th Gift Form. Outright gifts can be payable by check, credit card, appreciated securities, DAF grants, etc.
