In August 2025, Falk Laboratory School received the largest gift on record in the school’s more than 90-year history. The $1 million gift from an alum, who wishes to remain anonymous, will support the school’s general operations in perpetuity. The gift comes in the form of a charitable gift annuity (CGA)—a planned giving vehicle that benefits the donor by creating a reliable, lifelong income stream for them and/or a loved one, while simultaneously leaving funds to carry out the Falk School’s mission after the last beneficiary is gone.

While refreshing their estate and retirement plans, the donor wanted to ensure that whichever spouse outlives the other, they would have sufficient fixed income to replace the loss of the other’s social security and pension. They learned annuities are currently paying historically high rates and could be the best option.

“We found that while commercial annuities have slightly higher payout rates, they do not have the same tax benefits nor do they carry the personal meaning that a charitable gift annuity benefiting the Falk School offers,” said the donor. “My seven years at Falk provided me with the best educational foundation I could imagine. The charitable gift annuity through Pitt on behalf of Falk has turned out to be a great and easy-to-create choice."

To learn more about the benefits of planned giving to support Falk, visit plannedgiving.pitt.edu or contact Laurie Hess, manager of constituent relations, at [email protected] or 412-624-7301.