1754 Society

An Invitation to Join the 1754 Society

Once you complete your estate plan, please let us know. Columbia would like to thank you for your generosity by including you in the 1754 Society, our honorary society for alumni and friends of Columbia who have made future plans for the University. Your membership involves no dues, obligations, or solicitations, but it does allow us to thank you and recognize you for the plans you have made, and it may inspire generosity in others. 

What Is the 1754 Society?

The 1754 Society honors and acknowledges alumni and friends of Columbia who have made plans for the University through trust, estate, or other future gifts. Named for the year in which King’s College was established, the Society recognizes the vital role benefactors have played over the centuries in Columbia’s emergence as a preeminent educational institution and the role they play today in ensuring its continued preeminence.

Membership Qualifications

Columbia welcomes you to the 1754 Society if you have:

• Included Columbia in your estate plan through a will or living trust.
• Created a charitable remainder trust, administered by either Columbia or another trustee, which names Columbia as the remainder beneficiary.
• Entered into a charitable-gift annuity agreement with Columbia or invested in one of Columbia’s pooled income funds.
• Named Columbia as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan.

Membership Benefits

The most important benefit you will receive from joining the 1754 Society is the satisfaction derived from making a lasting contribution to the University’s long-term prosperity. In addition, you will receive:  

• Recognition, with your permission, in honor rolls listing members of the 1754 Society. This recognition will never specify the details of your plan.
• Invitations to events sponsored by the 1754 Society only for its members and to University events both on campus and around the country.

For Directed Bequests

Many individual schools and programs at Columbia have created their own societies to provide special benefits to individuals whose plans name that unit as a beneficiary. If you share your intentions with us, Columbia will see that you are enrolled in such other societies, as appropriate.

How to Become a Member

Simply contact the Office of Gift Planning and tell them you have made future plans for Columbia. They will send you your membership acknowledgement and welcome letter. The specifics of your arrangements for the University will remain confidential.