Opportunities to Support WAMU with a Planned Gift

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Charitable Gift Annuities

One of the simplest and most popular charitable gifts is a charitable gift annuity. This gift option is a combination of an investment and a gift and provides life income to the donor (and another recipient if desired - the annuitants). The designated charity accepts the gift and in return obligates itself to pay a fixed and specified dollar amount to the annuitant(s) for life.

Charitable Lead Trusts

You can fund a charitable lead trust with cash, publicly traded securities, closely-held stock, income-producing real estate, partnership interests, or a combination of the above. You can establish a CLT during your lifetime, or as a testamentary trust through your will.

Charitable Remainder Trusts

A Charitable Remainder Trust is established for the life of the donor (also trustor or grantor) and/or for the life of any beneficiary(-ies) and is irrevocable. While there are certain changes that may be made, once the trust is established, it cannot be revoked. If it is desired, the income period of the trust can be established for a specified period of time not to exceed twenty years. The twenty-year maximum does not apply if the trust life is based on the life expectancy of the income beneficiary(-ies).

Living Trusts

A Living Trust is a legal document that enables you to leave instructions for who you want to handle your final affairs and how you want your assets distributed after you die. Living Trusts look a lot like a will but, unlike a will, a Living Trust does not go through probate (providing privacy concerning assets included in the living trust), it prevents the court from controlling your assets if your are declared incompetent, and it gives you (not the court) control over the assets in the trust that you leave to your minor children and/or grandchildren.

Wills and Bequests

Gifts of this nature should be carefully considered in relation to your comprehensive financial and estate plans. We strongly recommend that you consult an attorney in the preparation of your will and to supervise its execution so as to comply with your state requirements.

Appreciated Assets

The gift of an asset, often common stock or mutual fund shares, is a valuable way to make a contribution to a charitable organization and receive tax benefits based on the value of the asset(s).

Retirement Assets

Contributions to retirement plans can provide an excellent opportunity for growth as they grow tax-free, meaning that the growth or earnings are not taxed annually but can continue to grow. The earnings are taxed when they are withdrawn, but this has allowed more dollars to be invested for more growth. Additional savings can occur if the recipient is in a lower tax bracket when the funds are withdrawn (for example, during retirement) than when the investments were growing.

Life Insurance

There are several ways you can use life insurance as the basis for a charitable gift. These opportunities and examples will help you decide which is best for you.

Real Estate

There are many ways to donate property. It can be an outright gift, a retained life estate, or placed in a trust.