Organizing your affairs is an act of love for your family and your community. Leaving a planned gift shows your dedication to the causes you care about! At Grand Rapids Community Foundation, our goal is to show you that estate planning doesn’t need to be stressful or time-consuming.
This fall, think about how you might help people and organizations in our community through planned giving.
Think about your plans and get inspired
What does leaving a legacy mean to you? Have you documented your plans, so loved ones know what you value most?
Generations of people have built our community’s endowment through their estate plans. Read how Metz Legacy Society members Max Doering, Iain and Kalie Charnley and Derether Greer each created unique gifts to meet their philanthropic goals: Planning personal and impactful gifts.
The Community Foundation team or a professional advisor can help you consider a gift that is personal to you and impactful for our community.
Consider different giving strategies
Some planned gifts entitle you to an immediate income tax deduction; others provide flexibility during your lifetime and can provide benefits to your estate and heirs. A charitable gift annuity (CGA) is a simple agreement between you and the Community Foundation—in exchange for a gift of cash or appreciated assets, you receive fixed payments for life. Many people consider a CGA as they plan for retirement, to continue giving with the assurances of a reliable source of income.
By designating the Community Foundation as a partial or full beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy, you will retain ownership of the policy, but any policy proceeds distributed to the Community Foundation will be exempt from estate tax and create a wonderful legacy at comparatively low cost. Read more about planned gift options.
Get started today
The Community Foundation relies on donor partners to create a community where opportunity, prosperity and belonging exists for everyone who calls West Michigan home. If we can support your giving—by sharing planned giving options or connecting you to a professional advisor—please contact our development team at 616.454.1751.