Legacy Gifts

Bequests through Wills or Trusts
A gift through a will or trust is simple and allows you to leave a legacy with no immediate financial impact to your assets.

• Enables you to take care of family members while reducing future estate taxes for heirs
• All assets remain in control during your lifetime
• May be structured to offer a fixed dollar amount or a bequeath of remaining portion of the estate after all other distributions have been made
• Gifts may be unrestricted or designated for a specific purpose

Retirement Plan Distributions
Naming a charitable organization as beneficiary to your IRA, 401(K) or other qualified retirement plan may offer substantial tax benefits.

• Continue to take regular withdrawals
• Balance of assets, upon death, are passed to the charity
• Maintain the flexibility to change beneficiaries if family needs change during lifetime
• Help heirs avoid double taxation on assets left in the retirement account

With the permanent passage of the PATH Act, people aged 70½ and older may gift up to $100,000 of IRA assets directly to the charity of their choice without the money being included as income for tax purposes. This distribution can count towards the required minimum distribution for those aged 70 ½ and older. This offers distinct tax advantages over taking a taxable distribution and then making a charitable donation with the proceeds.


Life Insurance
Transfer ownership of a paid-up life insurance policy to the diocese, a parish or school.

• If financial responsibility of policy has been met, gifting is a way to provide support to the charity
• Organization may elect to cash in the policy or hold it
• Receive an income tax deduction equal to the cash surrender value of the policy