Jay* and his wife, Amy, wanted to support our organization with a significant gift of $100,000. They wanted to spread this gift out over several years but also to make a gift of $25,000 this year.
LEARN HOW YOUR PLANNED GIFT CAN HELP THE AMERICAN LEGION
Jay: "We wanted to make a big commitment to help fund a special project, but we weren't able to make the full gift this year.” He and Amy contacted our organization to discuss their desire to help and explain their funding limitation. We explained that by using a combination of their available resources and planned gifts, they could still achieve their objectives. We suggested the following options for them to consider:
* A $25,000 cash gift today combined with a separate $37,500 bequest in both Jay and Amy's wills (no cash out-of-pocket)
* A $25,000 gift of appreciated stock (no cash out-of-pocket and significant tax savings), and a $75,000 bequest in the will of either Jay or Amy, depending on which spouse outlives the other
* A $25,000 gift of appreciated stock, a $50,000 charitable gift annuity funded with stock (numerous tax advantages and fixed payments for life) and a $25,000 bequest
After careful consideration, Jay and Amy decided to make a gift of cash and include a bequest in each of their wills. Amy: “By making a $25,000 cash gift and satisfying the remaining balance with a bequest in each of our wills, we are able to achieve all our goals.”
Using a combined giving strategy, Jay and Amy will be able to make a $100,000 gift to our organization. They loved the fact that they could make a gift during life that provided a tax deduction, and that they had the ability to see their gift at work today while also committing to support our work in the future.
What is a Blended Gift? A blended gift is a combination current-and-future gift made to support the work of The American Legion. See an explanatory video here.
Popular Blended Gifts
Gift and Bequest A "Gift and Bequest" is a combination of a current gift and a charitable gift made in your will or trust. It is an easy way to support our cause today and make a lasting future impact.
Benefits:
Receive a charitable income tax deduction for your gift made to us this year
Continue to use and control your assets during your lifetime
Leave a lasting legacy through a bequest to support our work after you are gone
How it works: You can make a gift to support our work this year by contacting us or visiting our website. A charitable bequest is a way to make your giving go further. With the help of an attorney, you can include language in your will or trust specifying a gift to be made to The American Legion as part of your estate plan, or you can make a bequest by designating us as a beneficiary of your retirement account or life insurance policy.
Endowment Gift and Bequest Endowment giving is vital to continuing the important work of The American Legion. An "Endowment Gift and Bequest" is a combination of a current gift made to support our endowment and a charitable gift made in your will or trust. It is an easy way to support our work today and continue your commitment through a legacy gift.
Benefits:
Receive a charitable income tax deduction for your endowment gift this year
See firsthand how your gift makes a difference
Continue your commitment to our work by leaving a bequest to endow your giving
How it works: You can make a gift to support our endowment this year by contacting us or visiting our website. A charitable bequest is an easy way to continue your commitment to us after you are gone. With the help of an attorney, you can include language in your will or trust specifying a gift to be made to The American Legion as part of your estate plan, or you can make a bequest by designating us as a beneficiary of your retirement account or life insurance policy.
IRA Rollover Gift and Bequest A powerful way you can help our cause is to make a series of IRA rollover gifts today and leave a future bequest. Your bequest will extend the impact of your lifetime gifts far into the future. An "IRA Rollover and Bequest" enables you to achieve your philanthropic goals. You can start your annual giving plan today, and your bequest fulfills your legacy for tomorrow.
Benefits:
If over 70½, you can roll over up to $108,000 from your IRA to charity
You are not taxed on the IRA charitable rollover
If over 73, IRA rollover may fulfill your required minimum distribution
How it works: You may start the IRA rollover plan during your lifetime with gifts each year. You may continue with similar rollover gifts in future years. Finally, make your giving go further and create a lasting legacy by adding a charitable bequest to your gifts. A bequest is an easy way to leave a gift to us as part of your estate plan.
Gift and gift annuity An attractive way you can help us and receive lifetime payments is to make a gift today and fund a gift annuity. A "Gift and Gift Annuity" enables you to achieve your goals. You can continue generous support for us and receive fixed payments for your future lifestyle needs. You may begin a giving plan today, receive generous fixed payments and create a lasting legacy for tomorrow.
Benefits:
You receive an income tax deduction
A gift annuity provides fixed payouts for one or two lives
With a gift annuity funded with cash, a substantial amount of each payout is tax-free
How it works: You can make your giving go further and create a lasting legacy by adding a charitable gift annuity to your current gift. With your gift annuity, we send you fixed payments and you also enjoy tax savings. After all payments are completed, your gift will help us achieve our vision for the future and significantly advance our charitable efforts.
Is a blended gift right for you? If you have ever thought, "I would like to make a gift to a nonprofit but am apprehensive about my future," a blended gift might be right for you. There are many different ways to structure blended gifts. Contact us to see how you might be able to use this strategy to achieve your goals while supporting our mission.
*Please note: Names and images are representative of a typical donor and may or may not be actual donor to the organization. Since your benefits may be different, you may want to create a printable illustration of your income and tax benefits with our calculators.
The American Legion’s Fund Development program is a way of establishing your legacy of support for the organization while providing for your current financial needs. Learn more about the process, and the variety of charitable programs you can benefit, at legion.org/plannedgiving. Clicking on “Learn more” will bring up an “E-newsletter” button, where you can sign up for regular information from Planned Giving.
- Planned Giving