A Pie Analogy for Giving

Picture your estate as a pie. When you decide whom you want to share it with, you can cut big slices, little slices, or somewhere in between.

We talk to many supporters of Stanford University School of Medicine or Stanford Health Care who worry that leaving a gift in their will to the School of Medicine or Stanford Health Care may jeopardize their family’s well-being. The pie analogy comes in handy. You dictate the serving sizes. You can ensure that your loved ones get the biggest portion of your estate. You can also make sure your family gets served first.

Here is how:

Instead of a fixed amount, consider leaving Stanford University School of Medicine or Stanford Health Care a percentage of your estate or of specific assets. That way, your charitable gift will adjust according to future circumstances, and gifts to loved ones will remain proportional—no matter how your estate fluctuates. Here are two ways to do it:

1. Gift a percentage of your estate to Stanford University School of Medicine or Stanford Health Care in your will.
2. Leave Stanford University School of Medicine or Stanford Health Care a percentage of your residual estate (the portion of your estate that remains after all gifts and bequests have been made and all claims of the estate are satisfied).

The great thing about gifts from your will is that they are flexible: You can change your mind at any time. Just know that whatever you settle on, a gift to Stanford University School of Medicine or Stanford Health Care does not have to be large—every slice makes a difference.

Save a Slice for Stanford University School of Medicine or Stanford Health Care

Even a small piece of your estate makes an impact. Contact the Office of Planned Giving at 650.725.4358 or pgmed@stanford.edu to learn more about supporting the School of Medicine or Stanford Health Care while serving family first.