Gift Planning
Johnson Chapel Associates are alumni, parents, and friends who have made a commitment to Amherst’s future by including the College in their estate plans.
Johnson Chapel is used as the symbol to honor these individuals because it was Adam Johnson, a Pelham carpenter, who in 1823 bequeathed $4,000—two-thirds of his lifetime savings—to Amherst and provided for the building of a chapel at the new college upon the hill.
In addition to its role as classroom, concert venue, lecture hall, and landmark, Johnson Chapel is where two of the most intimate and enduring Amherst traditions take place: Opening Convocation on Labor Day, when the president and faculty welcome the new first-year class, and Senior Assembly in May—bookends to both the academic year and the college experience.
It is fitting that a building holding so much pride for the past and hope for the future should represent the society of donors who have recognized Amherst in their planned giving. We invite you to join the more than 800 Johnson Chapel Associates who have included Amherst in their wills, named the College to receive proceeds from life insurance policies and retirement plans, and established charitable life income gifts to provide for Amherst College.
Find Your Best Way to Give
Deciding on the right gift can be difficult. Here is the tool that can help you.