Planned giving can turn the causes you care about today into a legacy that lasts.
Planned giving is a way to make a charitable gift through your will or other form of estate planning. It can take many forms, including naming a charity in your will, establishing a charitable gift annuity, or creating a charitable trust.
Estate planning is not something most of us like thinking about, but it is worth considering at every stage of adult life. Creating or updating a will is one of the most meaningful ways to turn personal values into action. A will (or other form of estate planning) can help ensure that your wishes are clearly documented and that you can thoughtfully support the people and causes you love beyond your lifetime.
Learn more about the different ways to make a planned gift in our guide to planned giving.
Whatever approach you choose, the process can be a deeply human experience. If your plans will affect family members or others close to you, consider sharing your thoughts with them. Open conversations can help those who matter most to you carry your legacy forward.
Beyond bringing clarity and peace of mind to your loved ones, making a will can help put your values into action.
Much of our charitable giving happens in response to a particular need or a request to give. Planning a charitable gift as part of your estate plan offers something different: the opportunity to slow down, reflect on what matters most to you, and make a thoughtful decision about the legacy you want to leave.
As you think about the legacy you want to leave, these four questions can help guide your decision:
A planned gift often represents a substantial commitment. Take time to reflect on the issues, communities, or causes that have mattered most to you and why. That reflection can help make your planned gift especially meaningful.
Many organizations work on the same issues, but they can have very different strategies and programs. Learn about the organizations you are considering and decide what kind of impact you want your gift to support.
Not every charity has the resources or infrastructure to handle every type of planned gift. Talk with the charity’s planned giving staff and with your financial and legal advisors about how to structure the gift.
No one can predict the future, but you can make an informed choice today. BBB Wise Giving Alliance charity reports offer expert-vetted analysis that can be a good place to start.
Consider taking the first step today: put your wishes in writing, seek appropriate professional advice, and make sure any charitable commitments reflect both your heart and your judgment.
We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:
Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.
