Goodwill

Your Legacy

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.

• A charitable bequest is the simplest and most common form of providing an ultimate gift for a charitable cause. A bequest is a provision in one's last will and testament where a gift or property is transferred from an estate to a charitable organization, such as Goodwill. Making a bequest can be as simple as inserting a few sentences into a new will, or can be added as a simple amendment (called a 'codicil') to an existing will.

Bequests can be structured in many ways. For example, you can make a gift of a specific item or amount of money or bequeath a percentage or the remainder of your estate after all other debts, taxes and bequests have been fulfilled, such as:

I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the Goodwill Foundation, the sum of $_________ or the property described as _________.

I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the Goodwill Foundation, the rest, remainder and residue of my estate, or _____% of the rest, remainder and residue of my estate.

• It is possible to make a donation of cash or securities to establish a Charitable Gift Annuity to provide you or another individual with guaranteed, partially tax-free income for life.
• A Charitable Remainder Trust provides an individual with income for either life or a term up to 20 years from the date the gift is made. When the trust terminates, the Goodwill Foundation receives the trust's principal.
• A Charitable Lead Trust provides the Goodwill Foundation with a steady income for a term of years or the life of an individual. When the trust terminates, the donor's designated heirs will receive the trust's appreciated principal.
• There are several ways to use Life Insurance to make a donation to the Goodwill Foundation. The Foundation can be named as owner and beneficiary to an existing policy or a new policy can be established.
• The combination of Retirement Assets, such as federal income, estate and excise taxes can seriously erode the value of retirement savings. Naming the Goodwill Foundation as a beneficiary of these assets can save your estate and heirs both income tax and federal estate taxes.
• Appreciated Stock -- assets that have a higher market value than their basis or tax purpose value. Such assets would, if sold by an individual or non-charitable organization at a price higher than their basis, potentially generate a taxable capital gains (either long-term or short-term depending on the holding period).
• Donating Real Estate or Property can prove to be the best alternative to selling, due to the quick liquidation of assets, numerous tax breaks, and of course the opportunity to benefit a great cause.

After determining the gift that is right for you, meet with your financial advisor or our organization to begin implementing your wishes. For more information please contact Veronica Brandon Miller, Vice President of the Goodwill Foundation at 941-355-2721 or veronica.miller@gimi.org.

The Goodwill Foundation honors every planned gift donor with membership in the Legacy Society. We invite you to become a member of the Legacy Society, created exclusively to honor and recognize people who have helped to continue our important mission through a gift to the Goodwill Foundation in their wills, trusts or estate plans. As a Goodwill Legacy Society member, you'll receive a certificate of appreciation and a Legacy Society lapel pin to serve as a reminder to others of your support of our mission. Your gift can be recognized publicly, unless you prefer to give anonymously. The society also provides information and assistance to donors considering a planned gift.

What Is the Next Step?

If you have already arranged for a bequest or other planned gift, we would like to honor your support. Please notify us and become a member. If you are still considering such a gift, let us know so we can help you and your advisors complete your gift in a way that benefits your estate and makes clear your intention to help Goodwill.