Ways to Give
Bequests
Leave your legacy by making a gift in your will to friends, family and charitable organizations. A bequest is
one of the simplest ways to remember those you care about most.
Charitable Gift Annuity
The concept of the charitable gift annuity in America dates back to 1843, when a merchant in Boston first
donated a gift of money to the American Bible Society in exchange for a flow of income. Today, the concept
includes valuable tax benefits for donors. But perhaps more valuable than the financial advantages is the
satisfaction donors gain by helping to continue our mission and good works.
Donor-Advised Funds
The Fund That Listens to YouGone are the days when only people with millions of dollars and names like
Rockefeller, Kennedy or Gates could establish family foundations from which to spread their wealth. Now
mainstream Americans with a fraction of the resources can take an active role in benefiting their
communities through donor-advised funds.
Wealth Replacement Trust
Perhaps you would like to make a sizable contribution to us now to help meet our current needs, but you
don't want to reduce the estate you will pass to your family. The solution? Purchase life insurance. More...
Pooled Income FundWhen you contribute to the pooled income fund for our organization, you receive an
income for the rest of your life, as well as a current income tax deduction. You make a meaningful gift to us—
a gift that also gives back to you.
Retained Life Estate
One of your valued possessions, your home, can become a valued gift to us even while you are still living in
it, and even if you want your spouse or other survivor to live there for life. This arrangement is called a
retained life estate.
Charitable Remainder Trust
What are your plans for the future? While there is no single way to achieve all of your personal and financial
goals, there is one strategy that can meet many of your needs. It's called a charitable remainder trust. In the
right circumstances, this plan can increase your income, reduce your taxes, unlock appreciated investments,
rid you of investment worries and ultimately provide very important support.
Charitable Lead Trust
If your goal is to provide an inheritance for your children, but you would also like to make a significant
charitable gift through your estate, find out how a charitable lead trust can help you satisfy both objectives.
It's a charitable lead trust that can provide a significant charitable gift through your estate and provide an
inheritance to your children.
What to Give
Gifts of CashThe simplest way to give. However, you can deduct a cash gift for income tax purposes only in
the year in which you contribute it. Your cash gifts are deductible up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross
income for the taxable year, but any excess is deductible over the next five years.
Gifts of Life Insurance
You can donate a life insurance policy to us or simply name us as the beneficiary. For the gift of a paid-up
policy, you will receive an income tax deduction equal to the lesser of the cash value of the policy or the total
premiums paid. To qualify for the federal charitable contribution deduction on a gift of an existing policy, you
must name us as owner and beneficiary.
Gifts of Real Estate
If you own property that is fully paid off and has appreciated in value, an outright gift may be the simplest
solution. You can deduct the fair market value of your gift, avoid all capital gains taxes and remove that
asset from your taxable estate. You can transfer the deed of your home or farm to us now and keep the right
to use the property for your lifetime and that of your spouse.
Gifts of Securities
Closely Held StockClosely held stock, that which is not publicly traded, can also be used as a charitable gift
even if you want to maintain a control position in the stock.
Gifts of Securities
The best stocks to donate are those that have increased greatly in value, particularly those producing a low
yield. Even if it is stock you wish to keep in your portfolio, by giving us the stock and using cash to buy the
same stock through your broker, you will have received the same income tax deduction but will have a new,
higher basis in the stock.
Gifts of Retirement Plan Assets
Did you know that nearly half your retirement plan assets can be eaten away by taxes at your death? Learn
how to preserve more of your estate for the people and organizations that matter most in your life.
Glossary of Terms
Administrator
The person appointed by the court to manage one's estate when he or she dies without leaving a will. Administrators have the
same duties as executors.
Annuity
A sum of money payable yearly or at other regular intervals.
Appreciated Property
Property, such as real estate or stock, which has increased in value.
Beneficiary
An individual designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or
retirement plan.
Bequest
A gift or legacy left by will, typically personal property or assets.
Charitable Gift Annuity
Typically an agreement in which you transfer cash or other assets to a charitable organization in exchange for its promise to
pay you an annuity for life.
Charitable Trust
A trust having a charitable organization as a beneficiary.
Codicil
A legal instrument made to modify an earlier will.
Corporate Fiduciary
An institution that acts for the benefit of another. One example is a bank acting as trustee.
Cost Basis
The original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation.
Durable Power of Attorney
A written legal document that lets an individual designate another person to act on his or her behalf, even in the event the
individual becomes disabled or incapacitated.
Estate Tax
A tax imposed at one's death on the transfer of most types of property.
Executor (or Personal Representative)
The person named in a will to manage the estate. This person will collect the property, pay any debt and distribute your
property or assets according to the will.
Fiduciary
A person or institution legally responsible for the management, investment and distributions of funds. Examples include
trustees, executors and administrators.
Gift Tax
Tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift, rather than the recipient.
Gift-Tax Annual Exclusion
The provision in the tax law that exempts the first $12,000 (as adjusted for inflation) in present-interest gifts a person gives to
each recipient during a year from federal gift taxes.
Grantor
The person who transfers assets into a trust for the benefit of him/herself or others.
Gross Estate
The total property or assets held by an individual as defined for federal estate tax purposes.
Guardian
An individual legally appointed to manage the rights and/or property of a person incapable of taking care of his or her own
affairs.
Inter vivos Trust
A type of trust created during one's lifetime to hold property for the benefit of him/herself or another person.
Interest
Any right or ownership in property. IntestateThe term applied when an individual dies without a will.
Joint Ownership
The ownership of property by two or more people, usually with the right of survivorship.
Life Insurance Trust
A trust that has an individual's life insurance policy as its principal asset.
Living Trust (Revocable)
A revocable trust established by a grantor during his or her lifetime in which the grantor transfers some or all of his or her
property into the trust.
Living Will
A legal document directing that the maker's or signer's life is not to be artificially supported in the event of a terminal illness or
accident.
Marital Deduction
A deduction allowing for the unlimited transfer of any or all property from one spouse to the other generally free of estate and
gift tax.
Power of Attorney
A written legal document that gives an individual the authority to act for another.
Powers of Appointment
A right given to another in a written instrument, such as a will or trust that allows the other to decide how to distribute the
property. The power of appointment is "general" if it places no restrictions on whom the distributees may be. A power is
"limited" or "special" if it limits who the eventual distributees can be.
Probate
The court process for determining the validity of a deceased person's will.
Testamentary Trust
A trust that is created upon death by the terms of a person's will or living trust.
Testator
An individual who dies leaving a will or testament in force.
Trust
A written legal instrument created by a grantor for the benefit of him/herself (during life) or others (during life or at death).
Trustee
The individual or institution entrusted with the duty of managing property placed in the trust. A "co-trustee" serves as trustee
with another. A "contingent trustee" becomes trustee upon the occurrence of a specified future event.
Unified Credit
A federal tax credit that offsets gift tax and estate tax liability. For gift tax purposes, the unified credit remains at $345,800
through 2009, which is equivalent to an applicable exclusion amount of $1 million. For estate tax purposes, the unified credit
is $780,800 in 2006 through 2008, and $1,455,800 in 2009, which is equivalent to an applicable exclusion amount of $2
million in 2006 through 2008 and $3.5 million in 2009.
Will
A legally executed document that directs how and to whom a person's property is to be distributed after death.
Goals & Gifts
Whether you want to eliminate taxes or benefit from an increased income stream, there is a gift to fit every
objective. And no matter how or what you give, rest assured that you will be helping a cause close to your
heart. The following chart details a gift vehicle for every goal. After determining the gift that is right for you,
meet with your financial advisor or our organization to begin implementing your wishes.
Please call The Central Foundation Office at 541-768-4256, or e-mail giving@samhealth.org, for more
information.
The information on this site is not intended as legal, tax or investment advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney, tax professional or
investment professional.
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