Glossary of Giving

Use our glossary to better understand common terminology regarding charitable giving.

A donation given monthly, quarterly, or yearly to support reliable monies for ongoing programs and services.

A gift of property or assets to a beneficiary as defined in a will. A bequest may be of a specific sum, a percentage, or the residue of an estate, and may consist of cash, securities (stocks and bonds), life insurance proceeds, real estate, and/or personal property.

A gift made to build or renovate a physical facility.

A permanent fund invested to produce income, with only a portion of the investment earnings being spent. The rest of the earnings are channeled back into the fund so that the endowment grows and becomes a perpetual source of funding. Over time, a well-managed endowment grows faster than the usual rate of inflation, providing a continual source of funding.

A gift structured to provide income for the donor and possibly a secondary beneficiary. The annuitant (the person investing funds) receives a contract or agreement stating that the MUSC Foundation will pay the annuitant a fixed income for life with payments to start immediately or at some set future time.

A contribution of equipment, supplies or other tangible resources, as distinguished from a monetary gift Life.

A gift that allows the donor or someone designated by the donor to receive income for life, after which the MUSC Foundation receives the use of the gift for the purpose specified by the donor. Life income gifts are often used by supporters who need the income their assets can provide during their retirement years, but wish to make a significant gift to the MUSC Foundation.

A donation from an employer matching an employee's charitable contribution, thereby doubling or even tripling the amount of the contribution. Learn how to make a matching gift.

A chance for donors to name a building, a portion of a building, a scholarship, or a professorship, often in honor or memory of a loved one.

A gift which immediately benefits the MUSC Foundation. Outright gifts include cash, securities (stocks and bonds), real estate, tangible personal property, matching gifts and gifts-in-kind.

A gift that anticipates the donor's future circumstances and is often made as part of retirement or estate planning. Learn more about Gift Planning.

A promise to give at a later date, allowing donors to delay a single payment or spread gift payments over time.

A donation of stock which may allow the donor to avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation in market value of the shares. Learn how to make a stock gift.

Any arrangement in which property is to be held and administered by a trustee for the benefit of those for whom the trust was created. Depending on the type and how it is established, a trust may be revocable (changeable) or irrevocable (not changeable).

A donation made without specifications as to how it should be used. Such gifts allow the MUSC Foundation to apply the gift where it is most needed.