Planned gifts can benefit the Vasculitis Foundation while helping you to save taxes and pass more on to your heirs? Planned gifts can cost nothing now and leave a legacy later.

Bequest – Building the future of the Vasculitis Foundation

An easy and low cost way to make a planned gift to the Vasculitis Foundation is to include the Foundation in your will or revocable trust. Bequests are a major source of endowment support at the VF. Each individual legacy contributes to our financial strength and ability to meet the needs of our patients and their families. If you have not already done so, please consider putting the VF in your will or revocable trust.

Types of bequests
You can give almost any kind of asset to the Vasculitis Foundation through a bequest, including cash, securities, an interest in real estate (such as a residence), tangible personal property (such as works of art or antiques) or the remainder of your IRA, Keogh, tax-sheltered annuity, qualified pension or profit-sharing plan. Ask your attorney about your bequest options, such as specific bequests, residuary bequests, testamentary trusts and QTip trusts.

Tax benefits
A charitable bequest is deductible for federal estate tax purposes, and there is no limit on the amount of the estate tax charitable deduction your estate can take. In addition, bequests generally are not subject to state inheritance or estate taxes. In a large estate, the savings can be more than half the value of the bequest.

How to make a bequest
A bequest to the Vasculitis Foundation can be made by creating a new will, adding to your existing will, or including the VF in your revocable trust. If you include the VF in a bequest provision, please notify the office. Your notification will be treated confidentially.

Samples of bequest language
The following examples can be tailored to your interests. Be sure to consult your attorney for assistance in making a bequest.

• Unrestricted bequest:
  "I give (_______ dollars) (a specific asset) or (___percent of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate) to the Vasculitis Foundation, the charitable, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, for its general purposes."

• Bequest for a specific purpose:
  "I give (______dollars) (a specific asset) or (___percent of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate) to the Vasculitis Foundation, the charitable, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, to be used for the following purpose: (state the purpose).

• Endowment funds for restricted purposes:
  If your bequest will be used to establish an endowment fund for a restricted purpose, we urge you and your counsel to consider adding a “saving clause” to your bequest provision. A “saving clause” is a way to ensure the usefulness and relevance of your bequest in the future as the Vasculitis Foundation’s needs and circumstances change. For example: “If, in the future, it is the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Vasculitis Foundation that all or part of the income of this fund cannot be usefully applied to such purpose, it may be used for any related purpose which, in the sole opinion of the Board of Directors, will most nearly accomplish my wishes."

Note: Please consult your legal and tax advisors before making any material decisions based on this information.