When you give a gift (also known as a “bequest”) to 51 in your will or trust, you model to your loved ones a legacy of generosity. You also help ensure that 51 will continue to make a difference well beyond your lifetime.
Benefits of Gifts in a Will
- Legacy. Extend the impact of your generosity well beyond your lifetime.
- Availability. Retain access to your God-given resources for the remainder of your lifetime, or for as long as you need them.
- Capacity. You can potentially make the largest gift you’ll ever have the ability to give.
Bequest Language
Below is language you can use to make a bequest.
If you are considering making an outright bequest to 51, we recommend the following language:
Bequest of a Specific Dollar Amount
I hereby give, devise and bequeath _________ and No/100 dollars ($DOLLARS) to 51, a nonprofit organization located at 3201 Burton Street S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49546, Federal Tax ID #38-3071514, for 51's general use and purpose.
Bequest of Specific Personal Property
I hereby give, devise and bequeath DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to 51, a nonprofit organization located at 3201 Burton Street S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49546, Federal Tax ID #38-3071514, for 51's general use and purpose.
Bequest of Specific Real Estate
I hereby give, devise and bequeath all of the right, title and interest in and to the real estate located at ADDRESS OR DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to 51, a nonprofit organization located at 3201 Burton Street S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49546, Federal Tax ID #38-3071514, for 51's general use and purpose.
If you are considering making a bequest of a percentage of your estate to 51, we recommend the following language:
I hereby give, devise and bequeath ____ percent (___%) of my total estate, determined as of the date of my death, to 51, a nonprofit organization located at 3201 Burton Street S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49546, Federal Tax ID #38-3071514, for 51's general use and purpose.
I hereby give, devise and bequeath to 51, a nonprofit organization located at 3201 Burton Street S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49546, Federal Tax ID #38-3071514, ALL OR A PERCENTAGE of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to be used for 51's general use and purpose.
If (primary beneficiary) does not survive me, then I hereby give, devise and bequeath to 51, a nonprofit organization located at 3201 Burton Street S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49546, Federal Tax ID #38-3071514, DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to be used for 51's general use and purpose.
If you are considering a bequest but would like to ensure that your bequest will be used for a specific purpose, please let us know. We would be happy to work with you and your attorney to help you identify ways to give and meet your charitable objectives. We will also work with you and your attorney to craft language to accomplish your goals.
If you are making a restricted bequest, we recommend that your attorney include the following provision to give 51 flexibility should it no longer be possible for 51 to use your gift as you originally intended:
If, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of 51, it shall become impossible for 51 to use this bequest to accomplish the specific purposes of this bequest, 51 may use the income and principal of this gift for such purpose or purposes as the Board determines is most closely related to the restricted purpose of my bequest.
Learn More
To learn more about making a gift through your will or other smart and powerful giving options, call the gift planning team at 616-526-8931 or email giftplanning@calvin.edu.
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This site is informational and educational in nature. It is not offering professional tax, legal, or accounting advice. For specific advice about the effect of any planning concept on your tax or financial situation or with your estate, please consult a qualified professional advisor.