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WOMENWILL, ESTATE GIFTS

This list of donor names is so special to the Women’s Fund because these are the people who have included the Fund in their estate plans. Whether their ultimate gift is the entire estate, a percentage or portion of the estate, or a set dollar amount from the estate… we are proud they believe equity for women is important enough to be a part of their personal legacies. Thank you.

Gwen Plunkett

Joan M. Prince

Julie Ragland

Marisa Rivera

Mary E. Roggeman

Erika Sander

Annemarie Sawkins

Cathy Seasholes

Monica Shah-Davidson

MAKE A GIFT THROUGH YOUR ESTATE WITH A BEQUEST, LIFE INSURANCE OR RETIREMENT PLAN ASSETS

Ensure future support of advancing equity for women in our community by including the Women’s Fund in your estate plan. Listed here are a variety of ways and vehicles for you to explore.

ESTATE GIVING

Whether the ultimate gift is your entire estate, a percentage/portion of your estate, or a set dollar amount from your estate… it is fabulous that the Women’s Fund could be part of your personal legacy. We are honored by your trust and remain committed to addressing issues that impact women in our Greater Milwaukee community. Thank you.

Percentage of Estate

I <insert your name> hereby give, devise, and bequeath to Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a 501c3 community foundation, <enter your desired percentage> percent of my estate.

Remainder of Estate

I <insert your name> bequeath all the residue of my estate, including real and personal property to Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a 501c(3) community foundation.

Give a Specific Amount

I <insert your name> hereby give, devise, and bequeath to Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a 501c3 community foundation, $ <enter specific dollar amount>.

Give a Restricted Estate Gift

If you decide to direct your gift to something specific, please provide the details.  Here is sample language for that purpose.

I <insert your name> give to Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a 501c3 community foundation, the sum of $<insert dollar amount> or <insert percentage> of my estate OR the property described herein to be used for <insert the desired purpose>.  (Examples may include HER scholarships, Flash Grants, or Programming) If the Women’s Fund determines that it is impossible or impractical to use my gift for the stated purpose, then the Women’s Fund may use my gift for any purpose consistent with Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee’s mission.

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST

A charitable remainder trust allows you to gift an interest in property to non-charitable beneficiaries (e.g., children, grandchildren, yourself) for a certain number of years while leaving the remaining assets to nonprofit organizations, like the Women’s Fund. To create such a trust during your life, you must transfer assets (e.g., cash, stocks, real estate) to a trustee through a trust agreement. Payments from the trust are made to you and/or other designated non-charitable beneficiaries for a specified number of years. When the term of the trust ends, the assets remaining pass to the nonprofit organization.

There are two main types of charitable remainder trusts available, depending on what type of payments are made to the non-charitable beneficiaries.

An “annuity trust” pays the non-charitable beneficiaries a fixed amount annually, while a “unitrust” pays the non-charitable beneficiaries a different amount, recalculated each year, based on a specified percentage of the fair market value of the assets in the trust.

Through the use of a charitable remainder trust, you may receive significant tax benefits. For example, if appreciated assets are transferred to a charitable remainder trust, no capital gains taxes are paid on the assets’ appreciation in value at the time of the transfer, even if the trustee decides to immediately sell the assets. The establishment of a charitable remainder trust also entitles you to an income tax charitable deduction. A charitable remainder trust can be created at death under your Will, allowing a possible reduction in estate taxes.

It is important to review the tax implications of such trusts with your tax advisor.

LIFE INSURANCE

Given the uncertain economy, it’s easy to see why many of us are reluctant to part with money we may need later. Fortunately, there is a way to support the Women’s Fund, without having to worry about the impact it could have on your family or lifestyle. It’s the gift of life insurance, and here are just a few ways to use this proven financial strategy.

• Donate an existing policy
  If you have a policy and no longer need the death benefit, you can irrevocably transfer ownership of the policy to your desired charitable organization. While the charitable organization will be responsible for any remaining premium payments, the entity receives the full death benefit when you die.
• List the Women’s Fund as a beneficiary
  As the owner of the life insurance policy, you remain in control of it.  You can leave money to as many beneficiaries as you like: children, grandchildren, and/or charitable organization/s. Often, you can also designate a specific amount or percentage to each beneficiary.  If you name only the Women’s Fund as your beneficiary, we will receive the entire amount.
• Purchase a separate policy
  There are times when it makes sense to have separate policies: one for family/friends and another for charitable gifts. This technique can prove especially helpful if you would like to retain ownership of one policy, but not the other.

Giving life insurance can be a lasting and recession-proof way to support an important issue and organization, like advancing equity for women. Depending on the method you choose, it may also offer a variety of tax benefits as well.

For more information about the gift of life insurance and how it might help you achieve your personal and charitable goals, consult your tax or financial advisor.