Did you know that August is National Make-A-Will month?
For many people, the prospect of estate planning can seem overwhelming. However, planning allows you to exert control over the ultimate distribution of your assets, to minimize taxes and to pinpoint and address your priorities. It also provides you with peace of mind. Even if your estate planning documents are already in place, this is still a good time to review your will, trust and beneficiary designations to ensure that they still capture your financial and family situation, as well as your intentions. Another thing to keep in mind is how your charitable legacy fits in with the rest of your estate plan.
At the Jewish Community Foundation, we believe that the time is always right to consider how you would like to leave the world a little better than you found it. What organizations have touched you during your lifetime? What has inspired you to support the community both financially and with your time and talents? How do you envision the community you will leave for your children, grandchildren and beyond?
Many people like you choose to include charitable gifts to one or more of their favorite charities in their estate plans. Doing so is a testament to their passion for these organizations and helps ensure that the institutions will be able continue their important work for years to come.
Consider which of your assets may be the most financially beneficial to help fund your charitable legacy. Examples include retirement funds, highly appreciated stock, insurance policies and real estate. There are even planned gifts that pay you income, such as charitable gift annuities. Regardless of your financial situation, with the help of the Jewish Community Foundation and your professional advisors, you can thoughtfully begin the legacy planning process.
If you’ve already made a planned gift to a Jewish community organization, the Jewish Community Foundation would like to invite you to Foundation for Our Future, a community-wide celebration of planned giving. This complimentary event will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the Jewish Community Campus. The evening will begin with a reception and program at 6 p.m., which will include JCF’s signature Endowment Book of Life signing ceremony. Guests will then have the opportunity to attend a special production of “Tree of Life” by Victor Wishna, part of The J’s White Theatre Series. Generous funding for Foundation for Our Future is provided by the Sam and Lucy Gould JCF Program Fund.
For more information about creating a Jewish legacy or Foundation for Our Future, please contact me at (913) 327-8286 or .
Suzanne Galblum Dicken is the Jewish Community Foundation's director of philanthropy.
