The Blaisdell Society
The Blaisdell Society is named after James Blaisdell, CGU's founding president. It was his vision of a consortium of educational institutions that led to the creation of the Claremont Colleges, one of the nation's greatest educational centers.
The Blaisdell Society consists of those who have made estate commitments or trust agreements with Claremont Graduate University. It is through the generous support of alumni and friends that CGU remains one of the nation's great graduate institutions.
How to become a member
Membership is offered to all individuals and couples who let us know, via a copy of the relevant bequest section, or trust document, that they have included CGU in their estate plans or as a beneficiary of another type of planned gift, regardless of the amount.
These gift commitments may include any of the following:
- Bequest in a will or living trust
- Charitable gift annuity
- Charitable lead trust
- Charitable remainder trust
- Remainder interest in a home, farm, or other property
- Designation of CGU as the beneficiary of a retirement plan or a life insurance policy
Benefits of membership
Members of the Blaisdell Society enjoy an array of benefits, such as special access to signature events and being among the first to hear about CGU news. The most important benefit you receive is the satisfaction from making a lasting contribution to the success of CGU.
Other benefits include:
- Welcome Gift
- Special access to online and in-person events
- Being among the first to hear major CGU news announcements
- Special recognition benefits
How planned gifts are used
The purposes of planned gifts vary widely. Gifts may support:
- Student fellowships
- Professorships
- Visiting lectureships
- Research and equipment funds
- Other uses vital to the university's continued excellence
Undesignated gifts are especially valuable because they provide flexibility and can be directed to an area of greatest need. Many donors have created unrestricted endowment funds through a deferred gift to benefit their favorite CGU school, department, or program.
Join your peers in supporting CGU
Learn how becoming a member of the Blaisdell Society touches lives at CGU. If you have any questions or would like to be a part of the Blaisdell Society, you may contact Gizel Avina, associate director of alumni relations & development, at gizel.avina@cgu.edu or 909-607-1493.
We are here for you
Please contact Tony Todarello, associate vice president of development, if you have any questions about planned giving or wish to discuss your charitable estate and how CGU might be part of it. You may reach him at Anthony.todarello@cgu.edu or 909-607-9230.
Publication and confidentiality
We like to celebrate our donors’ generosity, so we may highlight Blaisdell Society members in our publications. With that said, members may request anonymity. In addition, details about gifts are held in the strictest confidence.
Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.