On July 23, 2025, a small group of Duke Lemur Center donors joined us for a special presentation by Anne Morrison Bradley from Duke’s Office of Gift Planning. The presentation explored how Planned Giving can be a powerful, accessible way to support the Lemur Center’s mission, both now and for generations to come.
Simple Ways to Make a Planned Gift
Anne shared several easy and impactful options for donors to consider:
IRA: Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD): If you’re 70½ or older, you can give up to $108,000 per year to charity directly from a traditional IRA. QCD amounts are excluded from your taxable income, and count toward your annual required minimum distribution (RMD) once those begin
Add the Lemur Center as a Beneficiary: One simple, flexible option is adding Duke University as the sole or partial beneficiary of a retirement account remainder or life insurance policy. Just let us know your intentions so we can ensure your gift is directed to the Duke Lemur Center specifically
Include Us in Your Will: A gift through a will or revocable trust entails adding specific language to your estate documents, typically in consultation with an attorney. Duke can provide sample bequest language, and we use a one-page, non-binding form to document your intentions.
Explore more options on Duke University’s Office of Gift Planning page.
Anne at the Duke Lemur Center.
It’s Easy to Get Started
Anne’s presentation offered practical insights and heartfelt encouragement for anyone considering a legacy gift. Here are some key takeaways:
Planned gifts come in all sizes—from a few thousand dollars to millions—and every single one makes a difference.
You don’t need to be a financial expert or a millionaire to make a planned gift.
Anne’s guidance is free and personalized—she’s here to help you explore options and answer your questions.
You may even save on taxes while supporting a cause you care about.
You don’t need a financial advisor, lawyer, or accountant to get started, though we encourage you to consult them if you have one.
Let’s Talk About Your Legacy
Whether you’re approaching retirement or simply planning ahead, we’d love to help you explore how you can support the Duke Lemur Center’s future with a legacy gift. Contact Mary or reach out to Anne directly. Together, we’ll make sure your gift supports a purpose that’s meaningful to you.
Anne and Mary in Isalo, Madagascar in 2023.
Meet Anne: Your Gift Planning Guide
Anne Morrison Bradley is not only a trusted advisor, she’s also a passionate supporter of the Lemur Center. She and Mary work together to ensure the Lemur Center’s planned gifts match well with Lemur Center donors’ interests and goals.
Anne Morrison Bradley
Senior Associate Director and Philanthropic Advisor, Office of Gift Planning
Duke University
anne.bradley@duke.edu
(919) 613-5224 – office
“Anne Morrison Bradley is one of my favorite people,” says DLC Development Director Mary Paisley. “She’s taught me so much since I joined the Lemur Center in 2017, and we’ve worked together with a growing list of donors to establish planned gifts that will benefit the Lemur Center in the future. Anne is great at explaining the ‘whys and how-tos’ of gift planning, and she’s also a true lemur-loving fan who joined us on our 2023 Duke Travels Madagascar tour!”
Questions?
Contact Mary Paisley, Development Director, at mary.paisley@duke.edu or (919) 401-7252.
