Planned Giving

Planned giving. What does that mean? For organizations like Womenspace, planned giving is a part of the long-term strategy for sustaining the viability of the organization. For an individual, it is a way of ensuring that those organizations supported during one’s lifetime will continue to receive support after one’s death.

A planned gift is one where an individual has designated certain assets be given to an organization upon their death. There are ten things everyone can do to start this process regardless of age or financial status.

1. Prepare a Will. Only 50% of those who pass away have one. Without a will, you may lose control over your belongings and assets.

2. Review your Will and update it as needed every 3 – 5 years or when changes occur in your family, marital or financial status.

3. Leave a Bequest in your Will for the nonprofit and charitable organizations that made a difference in your life. Imagine the positive impact on our community if everyone donated to a favorite nonprofit. Less than 6% of American households have included nonprofits in their estate plan.

4. Leave a specific dollar amount or a percentage of the assets in your Will to the nonprofit(s) of your choice.

5. Consider using assets for your charitable gift. These include but are not limited to: cash, stocks, bonds, CD’s, real estate, vehicles, art, and jewelry.

6. Name a nonprofit of your choice as the beneficiary of your pension plan or IRA.

7. Name your favorite nonprofit as the beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy.

8. Remember loved ones with Memorial gifts to nonprofits.

9. Encourage family and friends to leave Bequests to nonprofits in their Wills.

10. Ask your financial advisor to include charitable giving as part of their counsel to clients.

Estate planning and having a Will says something about you. It says you care about your loved ones and want to make it easier for them by taking care of legal matters relating to the transfer of your estate. Having a Will means more of your estate can go to family members and other designated beneficiaries. Your Will also provides insight into your lifetime involvement and concerns. Bequests to family members indicate your love and concern for their welfare, while bequests to organizations identify your values.

We encourage you to consult with your attorney, accountant, or financial advisor to help determine the type of gift that is right for you. By including Womenspace in your estate plan, you are helping us continue to fulfill our mission to end domestic violence through empowering women and children and changing community standards.