Gifts of Tangible Personal Property
Portrait of James Bowdoin III, Gilbert Stuart, oil on canvas, ca. 1806-1812, Bequest of Sarah Bowdoin Dearborn.
For more information about James Bowdoin's legacy, visit Bowdoin's digital commons.
In 1811, during the College’s infancy, James Bowdoin III, bequeathed his extraordinary library—one of the very few remaining late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century private American libraries—and his art collection—one of the earliest collegiate art collections in the nation.
Did you realize that valuable antiques, stamp and coin collections, works of art, cars, boats, and other personal property can be used to support the College?
Your treasures can make wonderful charitable gifts today or after your lifetime. The financial benefits of the gift depend on whether Bowdoin can use the property in a way that is related to the College’s educational mission, in which case, there may be an available federal charitable deduction for full market value subject to the IRS appraisal rules. If not, any deduction would be limited to the lesser of fair market value or your tax basis in the property.
Gifts of personal property can be made outright, by bequest or as an irrevocable promised gift. In certain circumstances, personal property can be used to fund a charitable remainder trust.
Bowdoin Pines Society
When you make a gift of personal property to Bowdoin through a gift planning arrangement (bequest, CRT, or promised gift), you will be welcomed into the Bowdoin Pines Society.
Interested in making a gift of one of your treasures?
If you are wondering whether your property might make a good gift to Bowdoin, please contact us early in your deliberative process so that we can ensure that it can be used by the College in the manner you intend. We are happy to assist you and your advisors in designing the most suitable gift plan for you.
Please note that we are prohibited from giving legal or financial advice and none of the information above should be interpreted as such. We encourage you to consult with your own legal counsel or financial advisor before deciding whether or not to proceed with a gift.