Relatively few people are able to make large outright cash gifts, either to an individual or a charity. But as the saying goes, where there's a will there's a way. If someone even of modest means has a genuine desire to give, and chooses the right method of giving, he or she can make one or more truly significant gifts.
Planned giving is about these special ways of giving. Because of the way planned gifts are arranged, they enable people to make much greater gifts than would otherwise be possible. Some planned gifts even provide surprising income and tax benefits to the donor.
Click on the image for gift and estate planning ideas in our Good Steward newsletter.
Click here to see more planned giving ideas from past issues.
Legacy Gifts
Legacy gifts are those that take effect after our journey on earth has ended. They are often the most significant gifts we may ever make, and their importance to the work of Catholic Relief Services cannot be overestimated. There are several legacy gifts that we hope you consider:
Through a Will or Trust: You can leave a bequest to CRS in your will or trust. It can be for a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or whatever may remain after all other bequests are satisfied. When designating CRS, you should use our official title and address as it appears below.
Through a Retirement Plan: You can name CRS as beneficiary of all, or a portion of, your retirement account assets such as your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), Keogh, or other qualified plan.
Through an Insurance Policy or Annuity: You can name CRS as first, second, or as contingent beneficiary of a life insurance policy or annuity.
Through a Life Income Gift: See the section on Gifts That Provide Income. Life income gifts come in several varieties, the most popular of which is the Charitable Gift Annuity. Both the donor and CRS can greatly benefit from these arrangements.
Gifts That Provide Income - Gift Annuities, Charitable Remainder Trusts, Pooled Income Fund
An attractive form of charitable giving is through a "Life Income Gift." These arrangements come in various forms, but all benefit both donor and the work of CRS. Key features include:
- Cash, securities or real estate can be used to fund the gift instrument.
- The gift produces an income stream which may start immediately or be deferred to a later date.
- The gift generates an immediate charitable income tax deduction.
- There is favorable tax treatment when funding the gift with appreciated property.
- You may designate one or more charitable organizations to benefit from your gift.
Gifts of Appreciated Securities - Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds
Appreciated securities make excellent gifts to Catholic Relief Services' work and can be transferred easily. In fact, most stock gifts can be made electronically from your account to the CRS account.
Instructions below will vary depending on how you hold the securities. In all cases, please notify us when initiating a gift of securities to CRS. Call the CRS Planned Giving Department at 1-800-235-2772 ext. 7438.
If you possess stock in certificate form - Please request our stock mailer kit which enables you to send the certificates safely through the mail. Call us at 1-800-235-2772 ext. 7438.
If your stock is held by a broker - You may give your broker/agent the information below so that your shares may be transferred directly to our account. Please be sure to also notify us by calling 1-800-235-2772 ext. 7438.
Our Broker: M&T Investment Group
Bank Contact Person: Paula Warrenfeltz
Phone: 1-800-624-4116
DTC Number: 0990
CRS Account No. 76696
(Note that these instructions are for outright gifts of securities only, not for a CRS Gift Annuity or CRS Pooled Income Fund.)
If your shares are in a mutual fund or statement form - Since methods of transfer may vary depending on the fund or company, please call us at 1-800-235-2772 ext. 7438 for specific transfer instructions.
Gifts of Property Real Estate and Tangible Personal Property
Questions? Want more information about these or other planned gifts?
Request information by mail. You can also call us at 1-800-235-2772 ext. 7318 or 7324 or email plannedgiving@crs.org
Real Estate is versatile. It may be given outright or donated as a retained life estate. In the latter, the donor retains use of the property either for life or a term of years. Real estate can also be used to fund a life income gift such as a deferred gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust. By so doing, the donor avoids an immediate capital gains tax, enjoys a current charitable income tax deduction, benefits from a new income stream, and makes a significant gift to CRS' work.
Tangible Personal Property gifts refer to items such as artwork, antiques, jewelry, collections, and the like. Because of the nature of CRS' work, in most instances it is preferable for the donor to sell the item and donate the proceeds. Each item, however, is considered on its own merits and we encourage you to call us to discuss its usefulness as a gift.
