What Are The Benefits of Charitable Bequests?

• You Can Make a Real Impact
  Bequests allow many individuals to make much larger gifts than they could during their lifetimes. This is particularly appealing to donors who want their gift to "amount to something," but haven't had the means to make a substantial donation before.
• You Can Honor or Memorialize a Loved One
  Bequests provide the opportunity to honor or memorialize a loved one through the establishment of a fund.
• You Enhance the Value of Your Estate
  Bequests enable savvy donors to avoid federal and state estate taxes. As with other financial decisions, it is important to consult legal counsel to maximize the benefits of your estate planning
• You Have One Last Opportunity to Demonstrate Your Values For Your Children and Heirs
  In most cases, the last communication you have with your children and heirs is through your will. Bequests to Hobart and William Smith Colleges are a way of communicating your values; of saying, "This is important to me."
• You Determine the Legacy You Leave Behind
  Bequests allow you to decide what your legacy will be and the kind of impact you have on the future. You can earmark your bequest for scholarships, programs, equipment, facilities, or simply for use where most needed. But whatever you choose, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that your gift will live on, providing these services and improving people's lives for years to come. Just as you wanted. Just as you planned.

Please note, individual financial circumstances will vary. The information on this site does not constitute legal or tax advice. As with all tax and estate planning, please consult your attorney or estate specialist. All material is copyrighted and is for viewing purposes only. Use of this site signifies your agreement with the terms of use. This Planned Giving section has been developed for Hobart and William Smith Colleges by Future Focus.