A donor may create a charitable remainder trust during life, or at death via a Will or revocable trust. A trust created by an individual's Will or revocable trust sometimes is called a "testamentary charitable remainder trust." A donor's estate benefits from an estate tax charitable deduction for the discounted present value of the trust's remainder interest, which will ultimately benefit Ohio Northern University.

Many donors have a strong charitable intent but are giving the wrong assets to the wrong parties. If you intend to make a charitable bequest, the gift should be made with assets such as retirement plan assets since a tax-exempt charity, such as ONU, will not have to pay income taxes. Then give the income tax free assets, such as appreciated securities, to family subject of course to possible estate and gift tax implications, which you will need to review with your CPA.