Ways To Give

Planning Your Legacy: Remembering Our Agency In Your Will

“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” – Nelson Henderson

Hospice Foundation of Northeastern Illinois has been the grateful recipient of gifts made through the wills of individuals who were touched by the care they or a loved one received from our service.

Bequests are planned with the assistance of an attorney or financial advisor. We may not learn about the gift until the person is deceased. Sadly, we miss the opportunity to say thank you and to hear what inspired them to make such an important gift.

Our Legacy of Caring Society was formed to acknowledge these special gifts. Please notify the Foundation when you have made a bequest in your estate plan. We would like to say “thank you”.

Everyone should review their will with their attorney or financial advisor whenever any life changing event takes place or when they change their intentions.

Donors who have made future gifts are eligible for membership in the Legacy of Caring Society. By joining the society you give Hospice staff the opportunity to say thank you. You will also receive recognition in our annual report and on our donor wall unless you choose to remain anonymous. Members also receive invitations to our donor events and special educational seminars.

For more information contact Senior Development Officers Donna Kassens 224-770-2411 or Jason Leppin 224-770-2484.

Common types of legacy gifts:

Bequest: A simple instruction in your will can make a specific gift or a percentage of the estate to Hospice Foundation of Northeastern Illinois. Unless you choose to share your intentions, they will remain private as long as you are living. A bequest can be changed at any time and can be made anonymously.

Stock: Securities, stocks and bonds can have a designated beneficiary or can be given at any time for any purpose to support your charitable intentions. Assets owned for more than one year, such as stocks or real estate may by-pass capital gains taxes with their full value supporting your charity.

Charitable Remainder Trust: This type of trust is a special tax-exempt trust that can receive long term appreciated assets such as stock or real estate and by-pass the capital gains taxes.

Real Estate: Property that has appreciated in value and is subject to capital gains tax is an excellent asset to use for a charitable gift, either as an outright gift or to fund a charitable remainder trust. (Outright gifts of real estate are subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees of Hospice Foundation of Northeastern Illinois.)

IRA and other retirement assets: a gift from a tax-deferred retirement asset such as a 401(k) or a 403(b) can be made by designating Hospice Foundation of Northeastern Illinois as a beneficiary.

Life Insurance: You may designate Hospice Foundation of Northeastern Illinois as a beneficiary in your life insurance policy for all or a portion of the proceeds.

For further information, contact Donna Kassens, Senior Development Officer, at 224-770-2411 or contact your personal financial advisor for details.