A charitable lead trust allows you to make a future transfer of assets to your heirs at a substantially reduced gift and estate tax cost, while providing an income stream to NDSU for a term of years.

During a specified number of years, a fixed or variable income is paid to NDSU Development Foundation depending on the type of trust you set up. You may designate the use of your gift at NDSU.

At the end of the trust term, the assets are passed to your heirs, or to a trust for their benefit. This is an especially efficient method to transfer closely-held stock or partnership interests to your heirs.

You receive a charitable gift tax deduction for the present value of the annual income payments to NDSU Development Foundation during the trust term. This deduction may significantly reduce your gift and estate tax liability on the transfer to your heirs. Furthermore, any appreciation of the trust assets over the trust term is not subject to gift or estate tax.

A charitable lead trust can be established with publicly traded securities, closely held stock, income-producing real estate, partnership interests, or a combination of the above. Typically, a lead trust is most effective for high-net-worth individuals who wish to fund the trust with assets valued at $250,000 or more. Your trust can be invested and administered by NDSU Development Foundation at no cost to you.

You can write to us at:

NDSU Development Foundation
PO Box 5144
Fargo, ND 58105