Do you think interest rates will rise from today’s historic lows?

Do you think the market will increase in value in the years to come?

Do you think estate and gift taxes will increase?

Do you want your children to receive part of their inheritance during your lifetime and dramatically reduce the cost to do so?

Do you want to see the good for Notre Dame during your lifetime?

If you answered yes to the above questions, a charitable lead trust (CLT) might be the right gift for you. A CLT is a charitable trust funded with securities or appreciating assets that makes annual payments to Notre Dame for a period of time. When the trust terminates, the family gets the remaining assets back.

Among experts interviewed by the Journal of Financial Planning, the CLT is their most recommended giving technique in the current, depressed financial environment. The year 2009 is the best time in generations to plan for passing wealth to the next generation. Interest rates so low as to be almost without precedent dramatically increase tax savings for donors who use the CLT to contribute to Notre Dame and plan for their family’s future.

For more information on CLTs and other ways to minimize taxes through charitable giving, contact Greg Dugard, senior director of gift planning, at gdugard@nd.edu or 574-631-6368. You also may visit supporting.nd.edu/giftplanning for additional details.