The Brown University Charitable Trust

As you contemplate your giving plans to Brown this year and in the future--especially in light of the new campaign announced by President Simmons--we want to make you aware of the value of using the Brown University Charitable Trust to make your gifts to Brown. The Brown Trust is a special entity that was set up in the UK to make giving to Brown more tax efficient for UK taxpayers and to take advantage of UK tax incentives for the benefit of Brown. While the Trust has been active for over ten years, we believe the benefits of making gifts through the Trust are not widely understood, and we want to make sure you are aware of them. The benefits are relevant to you and Brown if you are a UK taxpayer and are likely to be even more attractive if you pay taxes both in the UK and in another jurisdiction (e.g. the US).

By giving through the Brown Trust, you and Brown can take advantage of the UK tax incentives under Gift Aid, through which you get a tax deduction on your tax return and Brown receives an additional amount of "Gift Aid" from the UK, incremental to your gift.   Both parties benefit significantly by giving in this manner. In addition, the incremental proceeds from Gift Aid are added to your contribution and will be designated for the same purpose as your original gift. The Brown Trust is the only vehicle for donations to Brown available to UK taxpayers to take advantage of these beneficial UK incentives.

As the Brown Trust is also a registered charity in the US, the Trust enables those liable for UK and USA tax potentially to obtain tax relief in both countries on the same contribution. Please contact your tax advisor for advice on your specific situation, but this characteristic represents an additional reason to consider using the Brown Trust for your giving to the University.

We hope that you will use the Brown Trust to make your gifts to Brown University. For your convenience, attached below is the form as a .pdf that can be printed, completed and sent along with your donation through the Trust. In addition, please feel free to contact either of the undersigned with any questions you may have.

Yours sincerely,