Why Make a Planned Gift?

You value the education that you—or someone close to you—received here. The time you spent on campus enriched you, launched you forward, expanded your world. And now you'd like to make your own impact at Oberlin.

You may wish to support faculty teaching the subject in which you majored. Or give toward a sport that you played. You could provide scholarship funds to students who need help to afford a top-quality college education. You might even wish to endow a professorship or attach your name to a program.

Many donors have a majority of their assets in forms other than cash. As a result, they frequently fund gifts using retirement accounts, real estate, or appreciated securities, among other items. There can also be tax advantages to giving with these types of assets.

The language used to describe planned gifts can be confusing. You may have heard several acronyms and unfamiliar terms. But the process need not be difficult. True, some gift types require more information and documentation than others. However, we are here to advise you and think through your goals with you.

A planned gift is a way to realize your vision of what Oberlin could be.

We'd like you to meet others who have realized their own visions.

Marybeth Bridegam '57

Growing up in a small town, Marybeth Bridegam '57 felt that her "life completely changed at Oberlin."

Susan Wefald

Susan Wefald spent her entire career working for social change, and she appreciates the foundation that Oberlin provided.

Charles Martin Hall

Mr. Hall was an Oberlin native who would eventually go on to found what would become The ALCOA Corporation. Learn how his name became synonymous with philanthropy at Oberlin College.

'Oberlin, I’m Impressed!'

That’s how television host Phil Donahue concluded his discussion with Janet Silver Podell ’64 some years ago. Since journalists establish empathy by drawing on commonalities—Donahue was born in Cleveland—Janet had mentioned to Phil that she was an Oberlin graduate. Instant empathy.

Jim Wolf ’54: Historian, Actor, Liberal Arts Advocate

Jim Wolf ’54 knew what he wanted out of his college experience while he was still in high school, and Oberlin fit the bill: a small liberal arts institution that focused on academics and fostered a diverse student body. He’s become an advocate for liberal arts education so that future generations of students can also benefit from the education he received at Oberlin.

Elizabeth '99 & Magaly Barajas-Roman

Some day it will be too late to make a planned gift. But it's never too soon. Elizabeth Barajas-Román '99 and her wife, Magaly Barajas-Román, have much to thank Oberlin for.

Ora Fant '68

As a high school student in the 1960s, Ora Fant was drawn to Oberlin's core values: a sense of inclusiveness and social activism.

Mark Smith '90

Mark Smith '90 chose Oberlin because he wanted to combine a strong liberal arts curriculum with advanced training in music. Today, he is a consultant with IBM Watson Health in Washington, DC.

Maxine Houck '58

Maxine Houck's musical studies brought her to Oberlin, but her education quickly took a sharp turn toward government, history, and economics, then wound its way through musicals and theater productions in Hall Auditorium.