Planned Giving
Leader Dogs for the Blind offers ways to make a planned gift for people of all financial means. From will bequests to charitable remainder trusts, an experienced Leader Dog representative will work with you and your financial advisors to help you decide which type of planned giving vehicle best suits your specific financial and philanthropic goals.
To learn more about the following planned giving opportunities, please call our director of major giving at 888-777-5332.
Will or Revocable Living Trust Bequests
This common form of planned giving allows you to designate either a specific sum or percentage of your estate or trust to be left to Leader Dog. If desired, the bequest may be designated for a specific program, fund or endowment. It is very important the correct language is used in the will or trust when making provisions for Leader Dog. Our director of major gifts can supply this language to you and/or your legal representative.
Life Insurance
Leader Dog can be made a beneficiary or the owner of your whole or term life insurance policy. You can choose to transfer ownership of your paid-up policy to Leader Dog and receive an income tax charitable deduction for the cash surrender value, or you can purchase a new policy with Leader Dog as the irrevocable owner. Either instance makes Leader Dog the death benefit beneficiary.
Charitable Gift Annuity
For those wishing to maximize returns on fixed income at low risk, a Leader Dog Charitable Gift Annuity is a charitable alternative to bonds, savings accounts, certificate of deposit or commercial annuities. Your initial contribution of at least $10,000 is an immediate income tax deduction equal to the difference between the amount of your contribution and the present value of the annuity to be paid to you or other individual annuitants. The value of the annuity is based upon the size of the annuity payments, the age of the annuitants(s) and the interest rate in effect at the time of the contribution. A higher interest rate increases the amount of your charitable deduction.
This program is regulated by applicable state laws in order to assure that annuity payments are protected for you (and a survivor, if you wish).
Charitable Remainder Trust
As you plan to preserve your estate for retirement, if you face a cash windfall that will result in substantial taxes, or if you desire to find a way to pass your IRA on to your beneficiaries, consider a Leader Dog Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT). This form of deferred charitable gift can preserve your financial security and allow you to realize your philanthropic goals.
Gifts of cash, securities, real estate, tangible personal property or certain other property interests can be put into a CRT to provide future benefits for you, a survivor, and Leader Dog. A CRT is irrevocable and is established under IRS regulations to provide substantial financial, tax and estate planning advantages. Tax benefits include:
- An income tax charitable deduction
- Payments for life, or set term of years, of a fixed annuity or adjustable unitrust amount
- Avoidance of recognition of any initial capital gain
- Removal of the contributed property from your taxable estate.
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