Planned Giving: Bequests

Bequests: The Most Popular Form of Planned Giving

Bequests made through wills or living trusts are the most popular form of planned giving—making up 80-85% of all planned gifts nationwide.

According to a commissioned by the National Committee on Planned Giving, 11% of Americans have already earmarked money for charities in their wills or created another type of planned gift. And one out of four people surveyed (25%) plan to add a charitable bequest to their wills.

Bequests are not just made by seniors. In fact, more than two fifths of those who have set up gifts to charity in their wills are younger than 55.

Why are Bequests so Popular?

• Through a bequest, you can decide what your legacy will be and the kind of impact you want to have on the future.
• A bequest costs nothing now, and allows you to maintain complete control of your assets during your lifetime.
• Through a bequest, you may be able to make a much larger, “high-impact” gift than you could contemplate during your lifetime.
• Bequests enable you to minimize taxes for your estate and heirs.
• A bequest allows you to determine your legacy, rather than letting the government decide for you.
• Bequests can be made in honor or memory of someone special, as an enduring tribute to your love and affection.
• You can earmark a bequest for the specific program or service you are passionate about—disability services, emergency aid for families in crisis, home care support for frail seniors—or simply for use where most needed.
• You can specify that your bequest create an endowment to last in perpetuity or to be used to meet current needs at the time your estate is settled. 

Getting Started

Please review your wishes with an attorney and/or financial advisor before making provisions for JFCS in your will or trust, or adding a codicil to your existing will.