Last time, we left off with a homework problem.

Now a homework problem, the solution to which will be given next time. Here’s the problem: Your VP for development asks you to determine the present value of a $1 million bequest to be received under the will of a living individual aged 79.

Question: What two assumptions do you need to make to determine the present value?

Answer: You need to assume [1] a discount rate (i), and [2] the number of years (n) your organization has to wait to receive the bequest.

These assumptions are key.

I’ll assume three discount rates (.04, .05, .06) and three waiting times (5, 10, and 15 years). These assumptions are arbitrary and are made simply for sake of illustration.

Here’s TABLE I, showing the compound interest factor corresponding to each pair of assumptions:

Here’s TABLE II, showing the corresponding present values:

These tables are useful, because there’s no single “correct answer” here. It’s apparent, though, that the shorter the projected wait time and the lower the assumed discount rate, the higher the present value.

by Jon Tidd, Esq