We are each endowed with different talents and advantages. Children, in
particular, are a blessing that come to some and not others.
But whether we have ten kids or none at all, we all have One More Child to
worry about and protect. We each have a unique opportunity through this Child
to pass our values on to the next generation. That One More Child is your
community and the organization and individuals you support through your Legacy
gift.
Most donors never meet the individuals who will one day benefit from your Legacy Gift. But, through their Legacy Gift, most donors develop a deep connection with their beneficiary nonprofit based on a shared vision for the future. The organization you support – and they people they help – are indeed much like one more child.
So, who is your One More Child?
This child is one that you believe in and that you choose to protect by
including in your legacy.
You don’t need to be wealthy or
approaching old age to start a Legacy Plan. In fact, almost anyone can make
Legacy Gift.
One of the big misconceptions about Legacy Giving is that you only wealthy philanthropists create Legacy Plans and make large gifts. While it is true that some legacy gifts are large, that is more the exception more than the rule. In fact, research has consistently shown that just the opposite to be true. In the U.S., the estimated average charitable bequest is between $35,000 and $70,000*.
A second common misconception is that Legacy Gifts are made
predominantly by older donors in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. While that was true
to some extent in the past, legacy gift commitments are now commonly made from
individuals in their 40’s and 50’s.
Another commonly misunderstanding about Legacy is that the
process of making a Legacy gift is complex and time consuming. But making a
Legacy gift can be as simple as putting a short commitment in your will that
names a specific nonprofit organization as the beneficiary. While most donors
do get help from their attorneys, the process is still relatively straight forward.
It’s also important to know that Legacy Gifts are fully
revocable and can be given as a percentage of the value your estate at death –
not a specific dollar amount. First, that means that you are free to make
changes to your gift commitment at any time should circumstances change. As
well, if your gift is designated as a percentage of your estate, you don’t need
to know how much you’ll have to specify a specific dollar value.
As you consider your philanthropic giving in the future,
keep in mind that Legacy Giving truly is for everyone.
Experience the feeling of
completion that Legacy brings.
Creating a Legacy Plan is an
empowering experience, one that creates joy and offers a chance to put your
personal imprint on the future. It completes the work of your life and enables
you to share the bounty you’ve earned the organization and people you love care
about. This includes those you know personally, as well as the organizations
whose work inspires you.
By supporting the work of a philanthropic cause you believe in, Your Legacy Plan is your vision for the future, you crate your plan and think about The process of creating a Legacy Plan and envisioning the impact on the future is inspirational and deeply satisfying for the donor.
For donors and their families, Legacy also a a profoundly personal experience. a truly
empowering act that offers the donor an opportunity to help a philanthropic
cause they are passionate about. The Legacy process is a profoundly meaningful
experience for the donor and, once complete, offers the individual a powerful
sense of joy and completeness.
Legacy is a truly empowering act
that lets you look from this world into the next and actually directly impact
events. It creates joy and an unusual feeling of completion.
Legacy planning is a perfect way
to engage the people you love in the causes that you love.
The legacy journey can enable us
to move through initial discomfort of confronting our own mortality or getting
started on crucial estate planning. Strikingly, these barriers melt away as the
prize of moving towards a gratifying plan, more knowledgeable in the process,
and with the prospects of being in control of our destiny.
Each of use has a unique story that has led us to where we are today. That story may involve your family, your work, and your life’s history. Your personal story plays and passions play an important role in determining which philanthropic causes you are most passionate about.
With philanthropic causes as varied as their dedicated supporters, Israel’s nonprofits support a broad spectrum of needs related to healthcare, social service, education, advocacy, the arts, science, and beyond. As you learn about the work and people in Israel’s nonprofit sector, you’ll discover a dynamic, high impact culture that helps make Israel such a vibrant society.
Take some time to explore the stories about impact that specific nonprofits organizations in Israel make on a daily basis. For some donors, that means visiting the an organization for a day and seeing first hand what the organization does and people they support.
At some point, when you identify a cause whose work and values align closely with your own, you’ll know you want it sustained and it’s time to turn your passion into action.