Planned Giving

Bequest

One of the easiest planned gifts is to include United Way in your will or revocable living trust.  You can make bequests for specific dollar amounts, a percentage of an estate, or for a remainder amount after other bequests are fulfilled. You can make this provision as part of a new will or add it to your existing plan as a codicil to your will or an amendment to your trust. 

Charitable Remainder Trust

This is a flexible way to make a charitable gift and receive an income. Assets are placed in an irrevocable trust that provides you and/or your beneficiaries with an annual annuity payment for life or a specific period of time. At the end of that time, the trust dissolves and United Way receives the remaining assets (charitable remainder).

Since each trust is individually tailored, there is more flexibility in the type of property that you can donate, including real estate, tax-free municipal bonds, and works of art or antiques. You decide the exact payout of the trust in consultation with the trustees you select. You can choose to receive a fixed dollar amount from the trust each year, or if you’re concerned about the effects of inflation, you can choose to receive a fixed percentage of the trust assets as revalued each year.

Charitable Lead Trust

Enables you to preserve a large portion of your estate and pass assets tax free to yourself or to your heirs. The trust holds an income-producing asset for a fixed term, or your lifetime, during which United Way receives income. At the conclusion of the trust term, the asset is returned to you or your beneficiary.

Charitable Annuity Trust

This type of trust is most often used when your primary goal is to receive a fixed income annually for life.  In exchange for your gift to United Way, we agree to make payments for life or for a specified number of years. The payments usually begin immediately, but you also can defer them to a later date. The amount you receive depends upon the amount of the gift, your age now, and your age when the payments are scheduled to begin. You also will receive an income tax deduction for the year in which you make the gift. Income you receive is taxed as ordinary income in most cases.

Charitable Remainder Unitrust

With this type of trust you receive a variable income based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets, as determined annually. The trust provides a potential hedge against inflation, since income payments may rise over time. You also can structure the trust to defer income and maximize growth or to handle specific types of assets. You can claim an income tax deduction for the year in which the trust is created. Similar to an Annuity Trust, income you receive is taxed as ordinary income in most cases.