Leave a Legacy ™ is a national program, founded in Columbus, Ohio by the Columbus Planned Giving Council in 1994. The program had been initiated in more than 120 communities in North America. The local Leave a Legacy ™ program is sponsored by the Western New York Planned Giving Consortium. The Western New York program launched its first public awareness campaign in May 2001.

A gift in a will is a favorite way for people to leave a gift to their favorite charity. A charitable bequest may be designed when a new will is being executed or added to an existing will through a codicil.

Even people of average means have an estate, therefore including charitable organizations in your estate plan helps to answer the question "What can I do to make the world a better place than I found it?"

You have several options when you are considering a bequest:

A specific bequest is usually a specific dollar amount or a percentage of an estate. It any be in the form of cash, securities, real estate, or tangible personal property.
A residuary bequest names a charity as the residuary legatee to receive the residue of the estate after specific bequest have been fulfilled.
A contingent bequest takes effort only if all primary beneficiaries named in the will have previously died.
A testamentary trust designates that part or all of the estate is to be left in some form of trust with a bank or individual trustee for the benefit of the charity.



Here are four easy steps to help define and create your legacy:

  1. List the people and organizations to whom you want to leave a bequest;
  2. Contact your favorite charity regarding how your gift would help their work;
  3. Consult your professional advisor (attorney, accountant, financial advisor) for help;
  4. Write or change your will to reflect your value and to specify the gifts your wish to make.

At Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, we are always deeply honored to be remembered by our friends in such a personal and significant way.  If or when your estate plans include the Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation, Inc. please let us know so that we can welcome you as a member of the Coterie Society or “Circle of Friends,” which recognizes those who have made similar estate plans.

We would be glad to send you a complimentary brochure with more information about suggested language for your will, the Coterie Society and other planned giving options.  To review this brochure click here.  To receive this brochure via the mail or to obtain more information about the Leave A Legacy™ program or the Coterie Society, contact Susan Beich at the Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation (716) 297-6400 or sbeich@opportunitiesunlimited.org.

 

 

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