Columbus House Legacy Society
The Columbus House Legacy Society is comprised of donors who make thoughtful planning in their current and future support of Columbus House. By committing to the future viability of the agency's mission, the Legacy Society ensures our ability to continue to find solutions to end homelessness for years to come.
As with any financial planning consideration, you should always check with a qualified advisor or estate attorney before making any changes to your current plans. For additional information on how to make a deferred or planned gift to Columbus House, please call Sarah Hoffman, Chief Development Officer, at (203) 401-4400 ext. 116 or email shoffman@columbushouse.org.
Bequest
Many donors find that the easiest way to make a substantial future gift to Columbus House is to make a bequest in their will. There are many different kinds of bequests. With each, the entire value of the bequest is eligible for a charitable deduction against their estate taxes. Read about a Columbus House donor who decided to leave a legacy here.
Sample Bequest Language
(To leave a specific dollar amount or percentage of the estate)
I give to Columbus House, Inc., a charitable organization located in New Haven, CT, the sum of $______ (or ___% of my estate; or the property described herein) for its general purposes."
Or
(To leave the remainder of your estate after all other disbursements have been made)
"All the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, I give to Columbus House, Inc., a charitable organization located in New Haven, CT, to be used for its general purposes."
Stocks, Securities & Real Estate
Popular alternatives to cash are gifts of appreciated property such as marketable securities (stocks and/or bonds) and real estate. These type of gifts can provide even greater tax benefits to you, the donor, than an equivalent gift of cash, especially when the appreciated property being donated has been held long-term (more than a year) and has increased in value over basis (the value at the time the property was acquired by the donor).
Life Insurance
Most people own some form of life insurance either through their employer or through a personal or family plan. Life insurance is popular because of its unique ability to meet a variety of needs for financial protection. A donor can name Columbus House as the primary or successor beneficiary of a life insurance policy. When the proceeds are paid to Columbus House, the donor's estate may be allowed an estate-tax charitable deduction.
You can also assign ownership of a paid-up policy to Columbus House. Call (203) 401-4400 ext. 116 for details.
Retirement Plan Proceeds
Another way to leave a significant gift to Columbus House to help secure the future is to name Columbus House as beneficiary to part or all of your retirement plan benefits. This can be done with an IRA, Roth IRA, 401 (k) plan or employer sponsored pension plan.
For more information on the deductibility of charitable contributions for the current tax year, please visit the IRS web site at www.irs.gov.