For almost 200 years, Chi Psi Fraternity has endured, evolved, and grown stronger – not by chance, but by design. At every pivotal moment in our history, when challenges threatened the strength of our Alphas and the experience of Brothers, Chi Psi was able to respond because it had the resources to do so.
For the last century, those resources exist because generations of Brothers believed deeply enough in Chi Psi’s mission to invest in its future through The Chi Psi Educational Trust.
This year marks the Centennial Anniversary of The Chi Psi Educational Trust. We are called once again to act with foresight to ensure that Chi Psi remains strong, relevant, and worthy of the next generation of Brothers. In 2026, we hope to secure that future by adding 100 members to The Bicentennial Society, Chi Psi’s legacy giving society.
By including The Chi Psi Educational Trust in your estate plans or by making an endowment gift in life, you help ensure that Chi Psi continues to meet tomorrow’s challenges with the same strength and purpose that have defined its past.
From its founding in 1841, Chi Psi has enhanced the collegiate experience for thousands of young men. For more than 175 years, Chi Psi has continuously evolved to remain a beneficial complement to the educational missions pursued at host institutions, while remaining true to our core values.
The Chi Psi Educational Trust, Inc. provides funding for programs in leadership development, introspective analysis, values-based alcohol education, and Alpha management, as well as opportunities to compete for scholarships and fellowships. This support enables Chi Psi to fulfill its role in the educational mission, and to touch the lives of every man who joins our Brotherhood. Like all charitable organizations, The Chi Psi Educational Trust depends upon public, unrestricted support – particularly from Brothers of Chi Psi and their families - to advance its important mission. Since the founding of The Educational Trust in 1926, we have been fortunate to receive many planned gifts to support educational endeavors.
WANT YOUR PLANNED GIFT TO SUPPORT A SPECIFIC ALPHA?
You can easily do this! The Chi Psi Educational Trust has restricted funds for the educational benefit of each Alpha as requested by its alumni corporation. Each is named “Dedicated Fund: [Alpha Name & School].” Include this language in your plans or contact Director of Advancement, Steve Habat to make sure we know how to restrict your gift.
There are many other different ways to make a planned gift to Chi Psi, and we encourage you to consult your attorney or financial advisor to discuss the best options for you. Some of these options may enable you or a designee to receive income for life. Examples of these include Charitable Gift Annuities and Charitable Remainder Trusts.
Once again, thank you for your support of The Chi Psi Educational Trust.
Bequests by will to The Chi Psi Educational Trust are exempt from federal and most state inheritance taxes. With a gift by bequest, your total estate value is reduced by the amount of the bequest to the Trust, potentially reducing your overall estate tax.
By your will (which you may change by a codicil) or your revocable trust (which you may change by an amendment), you can make the Trust the beneficiary of cash, securities, and/or other property. You may designate by a specific amount or a percentage of your estate, or you may make the Trust a residual beneficiary of your estate; that is, a recipient of some part of the balance after payment of specific bequests, expenses, and taxes.
Below is sample language for your consideration. Your legal counsel can help you to refine the bequest language to suit your specific wishes.
Percentage of Total Estate: "I hereby give, devise and bequeath ____ percent (%) of my total estate, determined as of the date of my death, to The Chi Psi Educational Trust, located at 45 Rutledge Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37210, Federal Tax ID #03-0386312, for its general use and purpose".
Specific Dollar Amount: "I give to The Chi Psi Educational Trust, located at 45 Rutledge Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37210, Federal Tax ID #03-0386312, the sum of to be used for its general support and charitable purposes".
Residual Bequest (After Expenses): "I give, devise, and bequeath all [or ___%] of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, The Chi Psi Educational Trust, located at 45 Rutledge Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37210, Federal Tax ID #03-0386312, for its general purposes".
Contingent Bequest: "If [Primary Beneficiary] does not survive me, I give, devise and bequeath to The Chi Psi Educational Trust, located at 45 Rutledge Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37210, Federal Tax ID #03-0386312, Percentage or Amount] to be used for its general support".
If you are interested in restricting your planned gift, please contact Chief Advancement Officer Sam Bessey or Director of Advancement Steve Habat.
The simplest planned gift of all, and the most tax efficient, is made from a tax-deferred retirement plan: 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Left as part of an estate, tax-deferred assets will be subject to income tax and possibly other forms of taxation. Where qualified, however, naming the Trust as a beneficiary of a retirement plan allows the gift to pass directly to the Trust free of any taxes.
This is also one of the easiest gifts to put in place. In most instances, simply go to the website of the trustee or custodian of the plan and change the beneficiary designation. Like a bequest from a will or trust, the gift may be a specific dollar amount or a percentage of the plan assets.
To designate The Chi Psi Educational Trust as a retirement plan beneficiary, the tax ID number is 03-0386312.
Please consider sending a copy of your beneficiary form to the Central Office for our records.
You can name the Trust as a primary or contingent beneficiary of a life insurance policy. If you retain any control over the policy, no income tax deduction is allowed; however, if the Trust is named both the sole owner and beneficiary of a paid-up policy, you may receive an immediate charitable deduction for the lesser of the policy’s fair market value or the net premiums paid. Additional premiums that you pay may also be tax deductible.
Please consider letting the Central Office know if you make a gift in one of these ways so we can update our records.
