Charitable Bequests | The Church Foundation
Logo of The Church Foundation with a circular emblem featuring three crowns on a cross, established in 1926, and accompanying text in blue.

CHARITABLE BEQUESTS

Logo of The Church Foundation, featuring a yellow cross with three crowns, encircled by red and blue, labeled "Incorporated 1926."

Gifts to a charitable organization can be made as part of a will or trust. The most common of all planned gifts is a bequest to a church or organization in a properly prepared will. It is interesting to note that nearly fifty percent of all people pass away without any formal will, therefore developing a wills awareness program should be a top priority for any planned giving program.

Bequests can take several different forms, including:

 

  • Percentage Bequests: gifts of a set percentage of the value of the estate
  • Specific Bequests: gifts of specified dollar amount or property
  • Residuary Bequests: gifts from what remain in an estate after all other bequests, tax, and administrative costs have been satisfied

Benefits of Charitable Bequests:

 

  • Tax Benefits – Eligible for estate tax charitable deductions
  • Ease – Bequests are flexible, efficient, and easy to update
  • Recognition – Leave a lasting impact on a charitable organization