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Leaving a Legacy
- Published in: Update - Issue 1 - 2010
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"You have not lived a perfect day, even though you have earned your money, unless you have done something for someone who never will be able to repay you." This quote by Ruth Smeltzer captures the essence of what is possible through a planned gift.
Over the past 70 years, many individuals have made planned gifts to Leader Dog; these tens of millions of dollars have sustained us through tough financial times. These gifts are needed every year to allow us to fulfill our mission.
Please consider making a planned gift to help ensure that Leader Dog will be here for another 70 years to serve people who are blind or Deaf-blind. You can choose from several planned giving options.
- Securities
- Transfer an appreciated asset held for more than one year to Leader Dog. You receive a tax charitable deduction for the full fair market value with no capital gains tax payable on the asset's appreciated value.
- Life Insurance
- Designate Leader Dog as a beneficiary on your current life insurance or purchase an additional policy with Leader Dog as the sole beneficiary.
- Charitable Gift Annuity
- Donate assets (usually money or securities) to Leader Dog in exchange for fixed annuity payments. You receive the current income tax charitable deduction for the gift portion of the donation, part of payments may be a tax-free return of principal, and capital gains tax on transfer can be spread over your life expectancy. Our fixed annuity interest rates are extremely favorable.
- Bequest
- Direct a portion of your estate to Leader Dog in your will.
- IRA Rollover
- If you are over 70 1/2, transfer your IRA(s) directly to Leader Dog. This will not count as a charitable deduction, but the amount is excluded from your gross income for federal income tax purposes.
If you would like to discuss which option is best for you, contact Roberta Trzos, CFRE, director of personal giving, at 248.659.5014 or rtrzos@leaderdog.org.
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