Planned Giving
What is Planned Giving?
Planned giving is the transfer of assets (e.g., real estate, stocks, or life insurance) to a designated nonprofit organization during a lifetime or upon someone’s passing. Usually this happens via a will or other written means. The giving is “planned” because often these assets are not liquid, have tax consequences, or can be used to simultaneously generate income for donors.
Why Plan?
People in a variety of circumstances and life stages can benefit from a planned gift.
Planned gifts are really just preparing for or reacting to life’s events: a windfall from the sale of a business; the need to generate a revenue stream for elderly parents; the desire to counter an increase in one’s tax liability; the birth of a child or grandchild; the establishment of a trust; annual planning; or the acquisition of new assets.
People have many opportunities to review their future giving plans, so it is never too soon to plant the seed for planned giving. Careful estate planning can also help people live a legacy as well as leave a legacy.