“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we gave.” — Winston Churchill
Planned giving is the process of donating, during one's lifetime or in one's will, as part of your overall financial planning. Planned giving can provide benefits during your lifetime, or establish an enduring legacy through a bequest.
MS Focus: The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation recognizes and honors those with philanthropy in their heart who have employed certain types of planned giving strategies by including them in our honorary organization, the Philanthropic Leadership Council. Simply call us, request, complete, and return a statement of intent.
The following are examples of Planned Giving Strategies (consult your legal and tax advisers for suitability):
WILLS AND BEQUESTS A bequest is a meaningful way to create a memorial that lives on to help those affected by MS. Learn more about Wills and Trusts. We hope you will consider making an estate gift to MS Focus. If you have already made a provision in your will, it would be helpful to let us know. Please complete this Confidential Estate Intention Form and mail or email to the address provided. This will help us plan for a brighter future for all those we serve battling MS. Contact Traci Shur, Director of Philanthropy at tracishur@msfocus.org with any questions.
SECURITIES AND STOCK By giving appreciated securities, shares in a mutual fund, or certain other types of property, you can enjoy tax benefits in addition to a charitable income tax deduction. Learn more about Securities
RETIREMENT PLANS By giving assets held in a qualified retirement plan -- such as employer sponsored pension, profit sharing plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Keogh plans, you can enjoy certain tax savings. Even though contributions to these plans are made with after-tax dollars and earnings accumulate tax-free, there may be a substantial tax assessment to the participant and their spouse when plan assets pass to their heirs. By giving retirement plan assets, donors can save taxes and make a gift to the Foundation at a very low actual cost. A donor can also name the Foundation as the beneficiary of plan assets following the death of the surviving spouse.
GIFTS THAT RETURN INCOME Life income gifts are a solid investment in the Foundation and the programs we offer, and provides a guaranteed income for the donor or beneficiary. To make a life income gift, the donor transfers to a trust either cash, securities, or other capital assets, which are then invested to pay income for life to the donor or any beneficiaries named. Following the death of designated beneficiaries, the remainder interest passes to the Foundation. Life income gifts can be made in many ways, such as pooled income funds, charitable gift annuities, charitable lead trusts, and charitable remainder trusts.
LIFE INSURANCE You can make a contribution of a life insurance policy to us by naming the Foundation as the owner and beneficiary of the policy. You may give an existing policy or fund a new one. When you transfer complete ownership of the policy to the organization during your lifetime, you are entitled to an immediate tax deduction. You can also name the Foundation as a beneficiary in an existing or new life insurance policy.
Contact Traci Shur, Director of Philanthropy, at tracishur@msfocus.org or 800-225-6495 to discuss planned giving strategies that may be appropriate for your situation.