Bequests, Trusts, and Gift Annuities
Many friends neighbors and loved ones, regardless of age, make gifts to support the work of Here to Serve through the establishment of bequests and trusts. Not only can these arrangements provide income to those who donate, but they also can provide significant tax advantages. Most importantly, gifts through bequests and trusts can allow you to leave a legacy at Here to Serve that will live on in perpetuity and make a difference for future generations who need our services.
There are many forms of planned gifts, and each option has different tax advantages for the donor. Please contact Katie Quintas, Executive Director of Here to Serve, to discuss what option might work best for you.
Bequests
To make a gift to Here to Serve from your estate, you should make out a new will or add a codicil to your existing will. In order to make sure that your exact wishes are carried out, you should consult with an attorney before creating or amending your will.
Gifts that Return Income
Life income gifts enable you to make a gift to Here to Serve through a trust or annuity, while securing a stream of income back to you from that same trust or annuity. A trustee (any entity of your choice) manages the investment of the trust assets and will distribute income to you for a term measured by a specific number of years (not to exceed 20 years), or lives of the beneficiaries. Thereafter, the remaining trust principal goes to Here to Serve, and its use can be designated to the area of your choice–for example, endow our program at one of our partner hospitals, or patient and family needs such as respite care, financial support, meal/restaurant gift card program, home care, or other much needed services to patients and families.
Using Retirement Assets to Make a Charitable Gift
Retirement assets that pass to your heirs through your estate can be subject to both estate taxes and income taxes. You might consider designating charities as the beneficiaries of your retirement accounts, thereby avoiding those taxes. Beneficiary designations should be made through your retirement plan manager, not through your will.
