Planned or Estate Giving

Retirement Plans

Retirement accounts, such as IRAs and 403 (b) and tax-sheltered annuities, qualified pension and profit-sharing plans can also provide support for Western Resource Advocates. To complete a gift of retirement assets, you need to inform your retirement plan administrator that you wish to name Western Resource Advocates as a beneficiary.

Bequests

You may wish to name Western Resource Advocates in your will. In the event you make a bequest to Western Resource Advocates, your estate will be eligible to receive a charitable contribution deduction, which may offset estate tax otherwise owed by your estate.

A bequest can be for a stated amount or stated percentage of cash securities or other property. Your will can also provide a residual bequest; or a bequest of what is left over after payments of designated to other beneficiaries. If you already have a will, you can include a charitable bequest with a simple addition or codicil naming Western Resource Advocates as a beneficiary.

Gifts of Real Estate

A gift of real estate can provide generous support for Western Resource Advocates and may generate significant tax savings for you. Almost any type of property, such as a personal residence, a vacation home or an undeveloped parcel of land is a valuable gift. If the property qualifies as a long-term asset, consider giving it outright. By doing this, you are eligible to save capital gains tax and receive a deduction equal to the value of the gift. Gifts of real estate are eligible for deductions of up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income.

Life Income Gifts

You may want to consider a "planned gift" to Western Resource Advocates during your lifetime.  Charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities and charitable lead trusts are examples of a few options of gifts that may occur during your lifetime. The information on this web site is not intended as legal or tax advice, but simply as general information on donations and planned giving to Western Resource Advocates. For legal and tax advice, please consult your attorney, accountant, and/or financial planner.

Charitable Remainder Trust

Through a charitable remainder trust, a donor transfers assets to a trust, but continues to receive income from the assets transferred to the trust (the principal). At the end of the trust term, the principal is transferred to Western Resource Advocates as a donation. The tax benefits may include a current charitable contribution deduction, increased income and reduced income, capital gains, and estate taxes.

Charitable Lead Trusts

Another way of giving to Western Resource Advocates for supporters with larger estates is through a charitable lead trust. A donor contributes assets (such as securities, real estate, business interest or other property) to a trust and the trust distributes income to Western Resource Advocates for a fixed term. At the end of the trust term, the trust assets are distributed to a beneficiary (e.g., child of the original donor). The end result is a charitable contribution deduction today and often lowers gift and estate taxes for the donor.

If you have additional questions on these programs please contact Anita Schwartz at 720.763.3727 or anita@westernresources.org