How to include the American Red Cross in my will...

Many of our supporters make charitable gifts by naming the Red Cross as a beneficiary in their wills. The federal government encourages these gifts or bequests, by allowing an unlimited estate tax charitable deduction.

To make a bequest to the Red Cross, the following language will be helpful to your lawyer:

A Local Chapter Gift
I give, devise, and bequeath to the American Red Cross for the benefit of the National Capital Area Chapter the sum of _______ (or otherwise describe the gift or specify a percentage of the estate).

A National Sector Gift
I give, devise, and bequeath to the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area the sum of _______ (or otherwise describe the gift or specify a percentage of the estate).

If you are interested in making a bequest to benefit both your local chapter and the national sector Red Cross, you can do so by including both in your will.

There are three ways you can make a bequest:

Specific Bequest
You designate a specific dollar amount, specific percentage, or specific property to the American Red Cross.

Residual Bequest
Your estate will pay all debts, taxes, expenses, and specific bequests. The remaining amount--the residue--will be transferred to the American Red Cross.

Contingent Bequest
You can ask that the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area receive all or a portion of your estate only under certain circumstances.

For example, you can name the Red Cross as a beneficiary of your estate only if there are no surviving close family members. Childless couples sometimes provide for the entire estate to go to the surviving spouse, or if the spouse does not survive, to the Red Cross.

When you are a planned gift donor, the Red Cross will honor you with membership in the Legacy Society. If you have already made a plan to give to the Red Cross in your will or estate plan, please contact the National Capital Area Chapter. We realize that with your special gift, you consider us to be part of your family, and we want to do our best to keep you informed as to how your gift will be used and to give you the opportunity to tell us of your wishes.

Return to Scenario One or to the Glossary.