Frequently Asked Questions

What is planned giving?

A planned gift is a charitable donation arranged in the present and allocated at a future date. Often, this is a gift planned through a will so that the organization will get the donation at the time of the donor’s passing.

What are acceptable methods of giving?

Wills/Trusts/Bequests, Life Insurance Policies, and Retirement Savings Accounts are all acceptable vehicles for planned gifts. Visit our Ways to Give page to learn more.

What kinds of assets does the Academy accept?

The Academy accepts equities, bonds, and cash gifts as planned gifts. All other potential gifts, such as tangible assets or cryptocurrency, need to be discussed with the Academy. Visit our Ways to Give page to learn more.

How do I name the Academy in my will?

To name the Academy or any of our programs in your will, you can include the following language:

I give (___ dollars/ __ percentage or all of the residue of my estate) to the National Academy of Public Administration for the benefit of __________ (name of designation).

Please contact the Academy’s Business Development and Philanthropy Team for further details and language to make a specific bequest.

Who decides how my gift will be spent?

You do! When you create your statement of intent for Planned Giving with the Academy, you outline how your planned gift will be used to benefit the causes and programs you care about most. You may designate specific fields of interest or existing programs within the Academy to receive your gift, or you can choose to leave your gift to the Academy’s General Fund or Endowment.

Contributions to the General Fund are available for use as the need arises, including the year they are donated. The corpus of contributions to the Endowment is intended to be preserved indefinitely. Only a sustainable amount of the earnings on the investments that comprise the Endowment is available to be used by the Academy each year.

Does the Academy need to know my bequest intentions?

We recognize that you might wish to keep your bequest intentions confidential. However, if you are willing to inform us, knowledge of your planned gift helps us prepare for the future. You also give us the opportunity to thank you for your gift, ensure your giving instructions are clear, and invite you to join donor celebrations.

Do I need to retain legal counsel to establish a planned gift?

It is not necessary, but we encourage you to consult your tax or legal advisor when considering any planned gift.

I have already named the Academy in a planned gift; what should I do?

We want to ensure we recognize you as one of our generous legacy supporters! Contact our Business Development and Philanthropy team to confirm your gift.