Planned giving (or "charitable gift planning"), refers to the process of making a charitable gift of estate assets to one or more nonprofit organizations, a gift that requires consideration and planning in light of your overall estate plan.

Such gifts usually include legal documents and often require the assistance of a qualified professional advisor to complete. San Diego Human Dignity Foundation offers planned giving support and services. Because of the size and potential impact of such gifts, we are happy to offer professional advice before completing the process.

Usually Deferred

Planned gifts are usually deferred, meaning they are arranged now and fulfilled later. For example, you could include a provision in your will to make a bequest to San Diego Human Dignity Foundation. That arrangement would be a "planned" gift.

Or, you might establish a charitable trust that could provide income to you (or someone else) for a period of time (usually for life). After this gift-deferral period, the trust would "mature" and the remaining assets (corpus) would go to one or more charities. This is called a charitable remainder trust.

Another kind of planning device allows you to place assets in a trust that pays out income to San Diego Human Dignity Foundation for a period of years. Then, when this trust "matures," whatever is left goes back to you or to someone else that you stipulate. This is called a charitable lead trust.

Another deferred gift instrument is the charitable gift annuity. This is popular with many donors because it represents a lifetime contract between the donor and San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, and because it is relatively simple to understand and establish. For example, if you were to gift $25,000 to SDHDF, you would receive, in return, a set amount of money every year for the rest of your life. You also have the choice of naming someone else as the annuitant to receive the annuity payments.

Often Irrevocable

Planned gifts can be revocable (as in a will bequest) or irrevocable (as in a charitable gift annuity). Even though a deferred gift may not actually benefit San Diego Human Dignity Foundation for many years, the gift arrangement can generate an immediate income tax charitable deduction because the future gift has been established and cannot be recalled. On the other hand, revocable gifts do not provide immediate tax benefits.

There are numerous planned giving vehicles and combinations that allow a gift planner to tailor a gift plan. Indeed, one the of truly fulfilling aspects of charitable gift planning is the adventure of helping donors find and, in cooperation with the appropriate advisors, construct the best plan for everyone concerned. We at the Foundation are here to assist you.