Sample Bequest Language

Outright Bequest:
The Cooper Union receives a specific dollar amount or a percentage of the estate.

I hereby give to The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, located in New York City, the sum of _____ dollars (or ______% of the total value of my estate).

Specific Bequest:
The Cooper Union receives a specific item of real or personal property, or stock holding.

I hereby give to The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, located in New York City, (insert description of item).

Residuary Bequest:
The Cooper Union receives all or a portion of the remainder of an estate, after all debts, taxes, expenses, and other gifts have been paid.

I hereby give to The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, located in New York City, all (or ______%) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate.

Contingent Bequest:
If circumstances make it impossible to carry out your primary provisions (as when your spouse or other heirs do not survive you), a contingent bequest ensures that property will pass to The Cooper Union rather than to unintended beneficiaries (i.e. the government).

If any of the above-named beneficiaries should predecease me, I hereby give his or her share of my estate to The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, located in New York City.

Named Endowment Fund:
If you want to create an endowed gift for a general or specific purpose or program, such as for scholarships or academic program support.

I hereby give to The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, located in New York City, the sum of ______ dollars to establish a permanent fund to be known as The ______ Fund, the principal and income of which shall be used for its general purposes (or the  specific purpose or program).  The Cooper Union may apply the terms of NYPMIFA (New York Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act) to this endowment and appropriate for expenditure so much of the gift as The Cooper Union determines is prudent.  

Note:  To establish an endowment or support a specific purpose or program, please speak with our Development Office to ensure that your wishes can be carried out.   

The information contained herein is not intended as legal or tax advice.   We recommend that you consult with your attorney or financial advisor for questions concerning your individual situation.
 

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.