A gift can be included in the body of a will or as an amendment (codicil). Gifts can be designated for a specific purpose and typically provide an estate tax deduction. They include the following:

• Residuary Bequest – The donor may state that all, or a portion, of the estate be given to Southern Methodist University after specific gifts are distributed to other beneficiaries.
  
• Specific Bequest – The donor may stipulate that a certain percentage of the estate, a certain dollar amount, or particular assets be given to Southern Methodist University.

To Bequeath a Percentage (Residual): "I give, devise, and bequeath to Southern Methodist University, a nonprofit corporation in Dallas County, Texas, [__] percent of my residual estate, both real and personal, for use in (state the purpose for which you wish your bequest to be used, or indicate 'general purposes')."

Residuary Bequest to Create an Endowment: "All the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, of whatsoever nature and wheresoever located, I give, devise and bequeath to Southern Methodist University, a Texas nonprofit corporation, for the creation of the [name of donor endowment fund,] with the income being used for the following purpose(s): [ _____ ], in accordance with its endowment spending policy."