Plan now, give later. 

A simple, flexible and versatile way that your generosity can continue forever is by including a gift to the Community Foundations in your will, living trust, retirement plan or life insurance policy.

How to Include a Gift in Your Will

1.  Working with your financial or legal advisor, designate your gift to create or add to an existing fund endowed fund.  Your gift can be in the form of cash, securities, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate or other tangible personal property.

2.  Name your fund. If you are creating a new fund, you can name it to honor a member of your family, a friend or a mentor.

3.  Tell us how you want your gift to be used. We will work with you and/or your advisor to create an agreement for your fund, a simple signed document that clearly states your wishes.  This Fund Agreement allows you to name the fund your gift will create, identify any fund advisors, specify your charitable interest areas, and even express a desire for anonymity. If you change your mind at any time, we can simply change your agreement without any costs or legal assistance.

Suggested language for your gift:

“I give, devise, and bequeath [an amount, a percentage, or the rest and residue of your estate] to the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, a New York nonprofit corporation (Tax ID #23-7026859). This gift will be used to [establish OR add to] a fund. This will become a fund of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley. The Fund shall be named the your chosen fund name.”

Giving through Beneficiary Designations – Simple & Flexible 

One option that does not involve creating or updating your will, and avoids probate, is to name the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley as a beneficiary to receive all or part of  your retirement plan, life insurance policies or other accounts. You simply fill out a form that is entirely separate from your will.    Not only is this an easy way to give, but it’s also flexible—you aren’t locked into the choices you make today. You can review and adjust beneficiary designations anytime you want.

Contact VP of Philanthropy, Serena Marrero at smarrero@communityfoundationshv.org for further information.