Leave a Legacy That Lasts

A gift through your will or trust to the Community Foundation is one of the most powerful — and simplest — ways to support the causes you care about.

You've spent a lifetime building something meaningful. A bequest allows you to extend that legacy far into the future, ensuring that the work you care about continues long after you're gone.

What Is a Bequest?

A bequest is a gift made through your will or revocable living trust. It requires no immediate transfer of assets — you retain full ownership and control of everything during your lifetime. At the time of your passing, your designated gift is transferred to [Organization Name] to be used in support of our mission.

Bequests are the most common form of planned gift and can be arranged with a simple addition to your existing estate documents.

Types of Bequests

You have several options when structuring a bequest:

• Specific Bequest — A fixed dollar amount or a specific asset (e.g., "I give $25,000 to [Organization Name].")
• Percentage Bequest — A stated percentage of your total estate (e.g., "I give 10% of my estate to [Organization Name].")
• Residuary Bequest — The remainder of your estate after all other gifts, debts, and expenses have been satisfied
• Contingent Bequest — A gift that takes effect only if certain conditions are met (e.g., if a primary beneficiary does not survive you)

Suggested Bequest Language

If you would like to include [Organization Name] in your will or trust, we suggest sharing the following language with your attorney:

"I give, devise, and bequeath to [Legal Name of Organization], a nonprofit organization located at [Address], Tax ID [EIN], the sum of $______ [or ___% of my estate / or the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate] to be used for its general charitable purposes [or for the following purpose: ______]."

Why a Bequest?

• ✅ You retain full use and control of your assets during your lifetime
• ✅ You can modify or revoke the gift at any time
• ✅ No minimum gift amount is required
• ✅ Your estate may receive a charitable estate tax deduction
• ✅ Your gift can be directed to a specific program or left unrestricted