Leave a Legacy

Plan for a Future Fund

Many individuals choose to create a charitable legacy through a planned or estate gift. When you make a commitment to strengthen your community, today or in the future, it can be one of the most meaningful and lasting decisions you can make. We have extensive experience in planned gifts of all types and we can work closely with you and your advisors as you consider your options.

A planned gift to the Community Foundation provides:

  1. Peace of mind that your hard-earned assets will be used according to your wishes
  2. A charitable legacy that reflects your values and interests
  3. Opportunity for your children or grandchildren to carry on a tradition of giving
  4. You may also support causes of importance to you, or allow the Community Foundation to meet the most pressing needs of our region over time.
  5. Donors who provide for the Community Foundation in their estate plans are recognized as members of the Legacy Society , or we will maintain your anonymity if you prefer.

If you would have established funds or committed assets to the Community Foundation and would like to be a part of our Legacy Society, please let us know.

Deferred Gifts

Gifts by Bequest

You can establish or add to your named fund by adding specific bequest language to your will. With your gift, you can:

  • Allow your children to continue their involvement in grantmaking by guiding future gifts in your name;
  • Create an endowment to support a specific organization or area of interest;
  • Provide flexible funds to address the most pressing needs in the region

Retirement Plan Assets

A retirement plan is one of the best types of assets to transfer to a charity because it produces taxable income. Most assets an heir inherits are free from income tax. However, an heir will pay income tax on disbursements from a decedent’s retirement plan such as a profit-sharing plan, Section 401(k) plan or IRA. If you are going to make a charitable bequest, it is usually better to transfer the taxable assets subject to income tax to a tax-exempt charity — such as a community foundation — and to transfer the assets not subject to income tax to heirs.

Life Insurance Beneficiaries

If you don’t have liquid assets right now but want to support a favorite charity, a gift of life insurance may be a good option. While you retain ownership of the policy, there is no charitable deduction for the value of the policy when you designate a community foundation as the beneficiary or for subsequent insurance premiums. However, proceeds payable to the community foundation at your death will not be subject to federal estate taxes.

Life Income Plans

Certain planned gifts provide a simple way for you to support your favorite causes or charities, while generating income for life for you or other family members. The Community Foundation can work with you and your advisor on any of the following:

  • Charitable Remainder Trust
  • Charitable Lead Trust
  • Charitable Gift Annuity

We encourage you to work with your lawyer, CPA or financial advisor as you consider these options. Our staff is experienced in the use of these giving vehicles and is eager to work with you and your advisor in this process.

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