Wills Guide

What is a bequest?

A bequest is a gift through your will. It is an amazing expression of a donor’s generosity that allows the donor to leave a legacy that extends for generations to come. This type of gift can consist of cash, securities, life insurance, real estate, or personal property.

Advantages to a Bequest

  • A simple and low cost way to leave a meaningful legacy at Hesston College
  • You retain control of your assets throughout your lifetime
  • If your circumstances change you can update your will as needed
  • Your gift will be exempt from federal estate taxes
  • If you let Hesston know of your plans, you will become a Legacy Partner

Write a Will…Leave a Legacy

What if you could make a large gift to Hesston College and support the Hesston Experience for generations to come without giving any money now? A gift through your will is a simple and easy way to make a lasting legacy at Hesston. Not only can you make a substantial gift that can have an impact on those we serve, you can still provide for your loved ones. Everyone is capable of making a gift of this kind. By writing a will you are determining what kind of legacy you will leave. You are making a statement about what is important to you. A gift through your will is helping to plant a tree that you won’t ever sit in the shade of.

Sample Language for Charitable Bequests in your Will

The following provides some suggested methods and wording for remembering Hesston College in your will. Please make sure to talk with your lawyer about this information.

“I hereby give and bequeath to Hesston College in Hesston, Kansas…”

  • Specific Bequest: “the sum of $____ (or ____%) (or the property described as _____).”
    • Specific bequests can be for a certain amount or percentage of your entire estate or specific parts of your estate such as cash, securities, or property.
  • Residuary Bequest: “the remainder and residue of my estate (or ___% of the remainder and residue of my estate).”
    • Residuary bequests are a way that you can designate all or a portion of what remains of your estate after all other bequests are distributed.
  • Contingent Bequest: “If any or all of the above named beneficiaries do not survive me, then I hereby give the share that otherwise would be (his/hers/theirs) to Hesston College in Hesston, Kansas.”
    • Contingent bequests are a way to include Hesston in your will while also providing for loved ones.
  • Designation: “It is my desire and instruction that this bequest to Hesston College in Hesston, Kansas be used for the following purposes _____.”
    • A designation allows for you to give a gift for a specific purpose such as a program, building, or scholarship. Please make sure to talk with Hesston about designations to ensure your wishes can be carried out as you would like.

Designations

  • Unrestricted: a gift to be used where most needed can be very beneficial to the mission of Hesston. Your gift will be used where most needed at the time the gift is made.
  • Hesston Experience Fund: a gift to be used for annual operations. Your gift continues the excellent tradition of Christ-centered education
  • Programs: a gift to be used for a certain program on campus. If you were impacted by nursing, aviation, music, athletics, or other programs at Hesston you can ensure that your gift continues to help that specific program or department.
  • Scholarships: a gift to be used for an existing or new scholarship. You can continue to help students afford the Hesston Experience.
If you are interested in learning more about or making a gift through your will, please contact your development officer. We are excited to announce that we have partnered with Everence and their financial planners to work alongside you in offering enhanced charitable giving options. If you have a preferred financial planner or lawyer that you would like to work with we are happy to do that as well. Please note that the information provided is not legal or tax advice.