Charles F. Allen Society

We invite you to consider the important mutual benefits of membership in the Charles F. Allen Society, a select group of alumni and friends of the University of Maine.

The Society

The Charles F. Allen Society, named for the University of Maine’s first President, was established in 1995 to recognize and honor alumni and friends who intend to remember the University of Maine or its affiliated organizations by making a bequest or other form of planned or deferred gift. Such gifts will benefit the University in the years ahead without necessarily requiring that the donor fund the gift at the present time. While the gift is deferred, the benefits of membership in the Society begin immediately.

This is a unique opportunity for you to gain the personal satisfaction of making an investment in human potential. Individuals who made the choice to benefit future generations of students have made some of the University of Maine’s finest achievements possible. Every gift strengthens the University as it carries out its mission of teaching, research, and public service. The University of Maine is deeply grateful for such support, and membership in the Charles F. Allen Society provides one way for the University to show its gratitude.

An Invitation

The membership certificate is evidence of a benefactor’s leadership.

If you let us know that you have provided at least $10,000 for the University of Maine or its affiliated organizations in your will, trust, pooled life income fund, life insurance policy, gift annuity or retirement fund, you immediately become a full member of the Society. Your gift need not be irrevocable and we understand that situations change. It is your current expression of commitment to the University that is important.

Charles F. Allen Society members receive a membership certificate recognizing their intentions and a lapel pin. Members are listed in the Society’s Annual Report and are honored at a special event on campus every other year. The most recent gathering of the Charles F. Allen Society was held at the Buchanan Alumni House on Friday, September 23, 2011.

The 2011 Charles F. Allen Society Luncheon will be held on Friday, September 23, 2011 in the McIntire Room of Buchanan Alumni House on the University of Maine Orono campus.

Speakers include Dr. Paul Ferguson, who became the 19th president of the University of Maine on July 1, 2011 and Mr. Edward Keefe ’86, Charles F. Allen Society member.

The Gifts

• Bequest. A provision is made in the will for a charitable gift to benefit the University. (Sample language is available here.)
• Charitable Remainder Trust. A trust is established to provide the donor (or other beneficiaries) an income for life or for a specified term, with the remainder interest to benefit the University.
• Charitable Gift Annuity. A gift is made in exchange for a lifetime annuity contract with the donor (or other named beneficiaries) with the remainder interest to benefit the University.
• Pooled Life Income Fund. A gift is made to the University of Maine Foundation’s pooled life income fund to provide income for the life of the donor (or other named beneficiaries), with the remainder interest to benefit the University.
• Life Insurance. A policy can be gifted by naming the University of Maine Foundation, the University of Maine, the University of Maine Alumni Association, the Pulp and Paper Foundation or the Pine Tree State 4-H Foundation as owner and beneficiary.
• Real Estate. A bequest of a residence, forest land, farm or a remainder interest in real property is made to benefit the University.
• Retirement Fund. The University of Maine Foundation, the University of Maine, the University of Maine Alumni Association, the Pulp and Paper Foundation or the Pine Tree State 4-H Foundation can be designated as a beneficiary of a retirement account.

To learn more about the advantages of these types of gifts, please contact us or simply printout and complete a Statement of Intent to enroll in the Society (PDF 84KB).