Charitable gifts in a will or revocable trust, called bequests, are among the easiest and most common ways to make a planned gift. Benefits of a gift to American Jewish Committee (AJC) in your will or revocable trust include:
Flexibility to change your will or revocable trust as needed.
There is no current cost to a bequest - your assets are available to you throughout your lifetime to use as you wish and to meet your needs.
Bequests to AJC are not subject to federal estate taxes.
Your gift benefits AJC.
Outright Bequests
A specific amount
A percentage of your estate
Residuary Bequests
A residuary bequest is made from the remainder of your estate once all other gifts have been made and expenses paid. You can specify a percentage of the remainder of your trust/estate assets, a specific sum, or the entire remainder of your trust/estate assets.
How AJC Uses Your Bequest
Unrestricted Bequest or one designated for “general charitable purposes” allows AJC to use your gift where it’s needed most.
Restricted Bequest* - A gift for a specific area or program that is most meaningful to you. The broader the terms of the gift, the better the chance that AJC will be able to utilize your gift as you intend and apply your gift where it can do the most good. Please consult with us before creating a restricted gift so that you know we will be able to use your gift as you intend.
Endowed Bequest* - You can specify that your gift be placed in an Endowed Fund as part of AJC’s larger endowment. Each year AJC will make a distribution from the fund in accordance with our spending policy. An endowed fund can be restricted or unrestricted.
*Please consider that restricted and endowed funds may be created in perpetuity or for a long term. It’s possible that circumstances will change making the original purpose of the gift impracticable. We encourage the inclusion of language that would allow AJC to repurpose your gift to one or more purposes of AJC that are similar or related to the gift’s original purpose. You could also include language directing AJC to negotiate any change in purpose with you or a designated family member.
*The information on this site is provided for instructional purposes only and should not be viewed as tax, legal r financial advice. Information is current as of September 9, 2024. Because tax laws change and state laws may differ, we highly recommend that you consult with your professional tax, legal and financial advisors about your personal situation and how you can make a planned gift that is most beneficial for your specific needs, goals, and circumstances.
