The following is intended to help you draft a bequest that meets your intentions regarding the Boston Athenæum. If you wish to support a particular program, we ask that you contact our office. Our legal name should appear as:

Legal name: Proprietors of the Boston Athenæum, Federal Tax ID number: 04-2104852

We suggest the following wording:

General Bequest of a stated sum of money:

  "I give to Proprietors of the Boston Athenæum, 10 ½ Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02110, Federal Tax Identification Number 04-2104852 ___________________Dollars ($___________)."

Specific Bequest of a certain asset from your estate:

  "I give to Proprietors of the Boston Athenæum, 10 ½ Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02110, Federal Tax Identification Number 04-2104852, [insert here a description of the particular property]."

Residuary Bequest, after other bequests and expenses have been paid:

  "I give to Proprietors of the Boston Athenæum, 10 ½ Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02110, Federal Tax Identification Number 04-2104852, [all] [a portion] of the rest of my estate."

Contingent Bequest if you are not survived by certain individuals:

  "If [name/s of primary beneficiary/ies] do/es not survive me, or shall die within ninety (90) days from the date of my death, or as a result of a common disaster, then I give to Proprietors of the Boston Athenæum, 10 ½ Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02110, Federal Tax Identification Number 04-2104852, [insert here the exact dollar amount, description of property, or percentage of residual estate]."