Skip to main content

Make us a beneficiary of your IRA or other “non-probate” assets

Plan your beneficiaries

Why beneficiary designations are so powerful

Assets not included in your will are called non-probate assets. Examples are 401(k)s, IRAs, life insurance policies, and other accounts. Designating the Salisbury School as a beneficiary can have a big impact and may avoid unwanted taxes for your heirs.

Charitable benefits

Receive an estate tax charitable deduction
Reduce the burden of taxes on your family
Continue to use assets or property during your lifetime
Leave a lasting legacy to Salisbury School

Common gifted assets for beneficiaries

  • IRA
  • 401(k)
  • Life insurance
  • Joint real estate
  • Joint bank accounts
  • Joint property ownership

Designate Salisbury School as a beneficiary to one or more of your accounts.

We have partnered with FreeWill to offer this free online platform that will walk you through the process of setting up your beneficiaries. These gifts have a big impact and can often prevent unwanted taxation.


Supporting Salisbury; Then, Now, Always

Planned gifts, such as bequests and gifts in wills, are critical to our mission of instilling in our boys a vibrant enthusiasm for learning and the self-confidence needed for intellectual, physical, moral and spiritual development. These gifts provide long-term support, ensuring that we can continue to make a positive impact on Salisbury boys for years to come.

Jeff Erdmann ’81’s Story

When Jeff Erdmann ’81 perceives a problem, he takes action to find a solution. Jeff is addressing what he views as one of the biggest voids in society today – a lack of leadership. “We can all be better leaders, whether we are parents, coaches, teachers, students, executives, politicians, or world leaders.”

The Erdmann Future Leaders Program will give Salisbury students the tools they need to develop into future leaders and thoughtful men of character. Select students will learn leadership skills through a curriculum that involves both on and off campus components.

Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. You are always free to revise or update your estate plans.

No. You can usually make these easily and at no cost to you. 

Yes! Gifts of any size are deeply appreciated. Many people choose to leave a percentage of their estate, which scales up or down with your estate size.

Yes! Even if you have a will in place you still need to designate beneficiaries for your non-probate assets.

The most commonly gifted non-probate asset is an IRA or 401(k). This is because these accounts are always taxed (even for people below the estate tax threshold). Giving these accounts to charity keeps your heirs from having to pay unexpected taxes.

A non-probate asset is an account or other asset that won’t be governed by the decisions you make in a will. Instead, these accounts commonly have an assigned beneficiary that you choose. Types of non-probate assets include many retirement accounts, life insurance, some bank accounts and some assets (like a house or vehicle) that you jointly own with another person.

We’re here to help you meet your goals!

Our team would be happy to speak with you in confidence about your giving goals, with no obligation.

Name: Electra Webb Tortorella P'17

Title :Director of Leadership and Planned Giving

Phone: 860-435-5775

Email: etortorella@salisburyschool.org

Already included us in your estate plan? Let us know

Please enter your first name.
Please enter your last name.
Please enter your email address.
Please select an inquiry.
Please enter a message.

More ways to make an impact

Gifts in a will or trust

Donations in your will or trust are (by far) the most popular type of planned gift. Learn more, or get help starting your will (for free!).

Learn more

Popular tax-smart gifts

Many people are increasingly choosing to give non-cash assets, so they can have a bigger impact at less cost to them.

Learn more

Gifts that pay you back

Give assets while providing yourself or others with income for a period of time or distributions at a later date.

Learn more