Planned Giving Legacy Gifts
Giving from the Heart
“Make a gift that doesn’t cost you anything today!”
Create a legacy of support for Lightways with a planned gift. There are a number of ways you can remember a loved one by making a thoughtful gift with potential tax advantages that doesn’t cost you anything today. Donors who notify Lightways of a planned gift will be added to our Legacy Planned Giving Society.
Bequests to Lightways
For many donors, a bequest is a practical way to make a leadership gift and to continue your support of Lightways. Make a gift through your Last Will and Testament or Living Trust. You can specify that Lightways is to receive a specific amount of money or a percentage of your estate. The donation can be assigned for general or specific purposes as well as in memorial or honor of someone. If your Will is already complete, you can use a Codicil to amend your Will. The following language can be used:
A) For a specific bequest:
I hereby give and bequeath __________________ (insert the type of gift here – i.e. cash, stock, real property, percentage of total estate, etc.) to Joliet Area Community Hospice Corporation (DBA Lightways), 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL, a charitable organization with a 501 (c)(3) classification of 36-3191281.
OR
B) For the Residue or all of the Estate:
I give all of my residuary estate, being all property passing under this Last Will and Testament reduced by the payments and gifts provided for under the preceding Articles, but not including any property over which I have a power of appointment, to Joliet Area Community Hospice Corporation (DBA Lightways), 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL, a charitable organization with a 501 (c)(3) classification of 36-3191281.
As with all major decisions, seek the advice and counsel of an attorney regarding your Last Will and Testament, Living Trust, Codicil and Estate Plan. If you need more information on bequests, please contact the Development Office at Lightways.
Gifts of Life Insurance and Retirement Plans
Another simple way to support Lightways through a planned gift is to designate Lightways as the sole or partial beneficiary of an existing or new insurance policy, IRA or other qualified retirement plan. Donors should consult with their tax advisor regarding the tax benefits of such gifts.
Naming Lightways as the beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan asset such as a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Keogh or profit-sharing pension plan can accomplish your charitable goals while realizing significant tax savings. It can be costly to pass such assets on to heirs because of heavy tax consequences. By naming Lightways as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, the donor maintains complete control over the asset while living, but at the donor’s death the plan passes to support Lightways free of both estate and income taxes.
Making a charitable gift from your retirement plan or insurance policy is easy and should not cost you any attorney fees. Simply request a change-of-beneficiary form from your plan administrator or insurance agent. When completed, please return the form to your plan administrator or insurance agent and notify the Development Office at Lightways of your planned gift. We can also assist you with the proper language for your beneficiary designation, if needed.
Joliet Area Community Hospice doing business as Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care is a tax-exempt, non-denominational charitable organization with a 501(c)(3) classification. (Tax ID number 36-3191281.) Therefore, your gifts are tax-exempt to the fullest extent allowed by law.
