Bequests
Bequests to the Foundation for Community Association Research Through Your Will or Trust
If you decide to include a gift for the Foundation in a bequest intention, please notify us so that we can thank you and make sure that we have a clear understanding of your plans. Your notification will be treated confidentially, if you so desire.
By including the Foundation in your estate planning, you are ensuring that millions of vibrant communities worldwide will continue to have access to the necessary resources they need to make well-informed decisions.
How Bequests Work
- Include a bequest to the Foundation for Community Association Research in your will or trust.
- Make your bequest unrestricted or direct it to a specific purpose at the Foundation.
- Indicate a specific amount, or a percentage of the balance remaining in your estate or trust.
Benefit to Your Estate
- Your assets remain in your control during your lifetime.
- You can modify your bequest to address changing circumstances.
- You can direct your bequest to a particular purpose (be sure to check with us to make sure your gift can be used as intended).
- Under current tax law there is no upper limit on the estate tax deduction for your charitable bequests.
Will my gift be tax deductible?
Historically, bequests have been deductible for federal estate tax purposes. In addition, the gift is usually exempt from state inheritance taxes.
What if I've already written my will or trust?
You can amend a will or trust to make a gift without rewriting the entire document. Your attorney can prepare the simple statement, called a codicil, which adds a new provision while reaffirming the other terms of your will. Similarly, he or she can prepare an amendment to your revocable trust to add the Foundation for Community Association Research as a beneficiary.
What's the difference between a will and a trust?
- A will serves as an instruction manual to your survivors about how you want your property distributed. It’s a revocable document that only takes effect after your death.
- A revocable trust (also called a living trust) is a legal entity that can hold assets during your lifetime, then transfers ownership of them or benefit from them upon your death. Unlike a will, assets that pass through a trust will not be subject to the probate process.
- There is no difference between wills and revocable trusts in the way transfers from them are taxed. In some states, however, the probate and distribution process is simpler with a revocable trust. Your advisers can help you choose which vehicle will work best for you.