SUPPORTING SURVIVORS THROUGH LEGACY GIVING

Would you like to help ensure the long-term sustainability of Branches Domestic Violence Shelter while also enhancing your own financial health?

It is possible through a planned gift, which can be customized to meet your individual goals while working alongside a professional financial planner and/or attorney.

Many generous and kind donors have made thoughtful planned gifts to WC&S which have assisted in enriching and supporting our many life-changing programs and services throughout our nearly 50 years in existence.

By definition, a planned gift is any major gift, made in lifetime or at passing, as part of a donor’s overall financial and/or estate planning. This means that donors are often able to make a larger gift than they could usually make from their typical income. Types of planned gifts can include bequests, beneficiary designations, annuities, and trusts.

The following information is not intended to provide legal or tax advice and is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney or tax advisor.

Bequests

Making a bequest through your will or “living trust” could be the most realistic way to provide a substantial contribution to Branches and obtain major benefits for yourself and your estate.

A gift through your estate may reduce or even eliminate federal estate taxes. Most states provide estate or inheritance tax benefits for gifts through an estate to non-profit organizations such as Branches.

Sample Bequest Language

I give, devise, and bequeath to Branches Domestic Violence Shelter, Inc, a nonprofit organization located in Huntington, West Virginia or its successor organization,

the sum of _________ dollars; or
an amount equal to ________ percent of the net value of my estate; or
all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate.

This gift may be used for its general support and charitable purposes without restriction at the discretion of its trustees.

Life Income Gifts

You can make a gift to Branches and receive direct financial benefits; an income for life for yourself, your spouse, and/or your children; and a charitable income tax deduction. Capital gains taxes can also be reduced or avoided when using long-term appreciated securities to fund the annuity or trust.

A Charitable Gift Annuity pays a fixed amount per year for life for up to two beneficiaries aged 65 or older. The amount paid does not vary regardless of the economy or interest rates. Branches offers charitable gift annuities in accordance with American Council on Gift Annuities rates. For donors aged 45-64, a deferred gift annuity may be an attractive charitable gift vehicle.

A Charitable Remainder Trust provides substantial financial and tax benefits for the donor, as well as significant gifts to Branches. This type of trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a term not exceeding 20 years. At the end of the trust term, the balance in the trust goes to Branches.

A Charitable Lead Trust is the reverse of a Charitable Remainder Trust in that the trust pays Branches an income for a fixed number of years. At the end of the term, the remainder of the trust is returned to you or your beneficiaries.

Gifts of Life Insurance

You can name Branches as a primary, secondary, final, or remainder beneficiary of your current policy. You can also assign your yearly dividends to Branches. You can give a fully paid policy or one on which you are still paying premiums, or obtain a new policy.

Add Branches as a beneficiary to your policy: Add Branches as a beneficiary of your insurance policy without changing your will or other aspects of your estate plan.

Give a paid-up policy to Branches: Transfer ownership of a paid-up life insurance policy to Branches. Branches can elect to either cash in the policy right away or keep the policy and receive the death benefit later. You would receive an immediate income tax deduction for either the cash surrender value or the basis (usually the cost), whichever is less.

Make Branches the owner and beneficiary: Take out a policy and make Branches the owner and beneficiary. Premium payments can be made by you directly to the insurance company or through Branches by way of a gift to the organization. You can then take an income tax deduction for the amount of the paid premiums.

IRA Charitable Rollover

Charitable giving from your Individual Retirement Account may be a smart, tax-wise way to support Branches. If you’re 70½ or older, you can make a tax-free charitable gift of up to $100,000 per year directly from your IRA. This gift allows you to meet the annual Required Minimum Distribution, exclude the distributions from your taxable income, and support Branches' work.