Legacy Giving
Bequest Challenge Inspires Legacy Planning
Jeanne C., a long-time Seeing Eye donor and member of The Seeing Eye Heritage Society for more than 15 years, believes in the power of legacy gifts. Legacy gifts include bequests in a will, beneficiary designations, and life income gifts like Charitable Gift Annuities. All of these gifts – bequest commitments - provide for the strong future of The Seeing Eye, ensuring that The Seeing Eye will be here for new and returning students when they need their guide dog partner for day-to-day independence. Jeanne will donate $500 for every new bequest commitment to The Seeing Eye through December 31, 2024 and up to $15,000! Are you considering a legacy gift to The Seeing Eye? Help us meet Jeanne’s bequest challenge! Click here to find out more about the bequest challenge and how to include The Seeing Eye in your legacy planning.
Remembering The Seeing Eye
No matter how you came to be interested in The Seeing Eye – whether you are a graduate, volunteer, or just love dogs and people – you can leave a legacy that will transform the lives of so many.
Since 1929, The Seeing Eye has been dedicated to bringing independence and dignity to the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired. Your legacy gift will assure we continue to achieve this mission well into the future.
To find out more about how to leave a legacy gift to The Seeing Eye and the Heritage Society, please click here.
Please call us at (973) 539-4425 so we can discuss legacy gift options that are right for you.
What type of legacy gift best suits you?
- I'm writing a will or trust
- I have appreciated assets
- I need income in exchange for my gift
- I have retirement funds
- I have excess life insurance
- Benefit The Seeing Eye, Inc... Benefit Your Heirs
- The Seeing Eye, Inc. Heritage Society
I'm Writing a Will or Trust
Remembering The Seeing Eye, Inc. in your will or trust is easy to do. Simply provide a specific dollar amount or other property. You may also designate The Seeing Eye, Inc. to receive a specified percentage of your estate assets.
The following is some sample language that you may use to remember The Seeing Eye, Inc. in your will or trust:
I give and bequeath to The Seeing Eye, Inc., 1 Seeing Eye Way, Morristown, NJ 07963 the sum of $________ (or specific asset or _____ percent of the remainder of my estate) to be used for its general charitable purposes.
To find out more or notify The Seeing Eye, Inc. about your bequest call us at (973) 539-4425.
I have Appreciated Assets
Did you know that you can support The Seeing Eye, Inc.’s mission by donating appreciated assets like stocks, real estate and works of art?
Why donate appreciated assets?
By donating an appreciated asset to The Seeing Eye, Inc., you may benefit from an income tax charitable deduction at the current market value and not pay capital gains tax on the asset’s appreciation.
Here’s an example:
Margaret has stock valued at $50,000. When she bought the stock it cost her $5,000. If Margaret was to sell the stock she would have to report $45,000 in capital gains tax. At the current tax rate Margaret would have to pay $6,750 in capital gains tax. However, if Margaret gave the stock to The Seeing Eye she would get a charitable income tax deduction of the full $50,000 and would not have to report capital gains.
We also accept vehicle donations.
To learn how easy it is to do this call The Seeing Eye, Inc. at (973) 539-4425.
I Need Income in Exchange for my Gift
Charitable Gift Annuities:
A transfer of cash or stocks to The Seeing Eye, Inc. in exchange for a Charitable Gift Annuity will guarantee you an income stream for life. This may be done for a single life or for two lives. There are some age restrictions that apply and minimum gift amounts.
For a personalized proposal please call us at (973) 539-4425.
To show you just how attractive this gift option is, please see the sample rates of return shown below for certain ages. The rate is based on your closest age at the time of the gift.
|
Age |
Rate |
|
70 |
5.9 |
|
72 |
6.2 |
|
75 |
6.6 |
|
80 |
7.6 |
|
85 |
8.7 |
|
90+ |
9.7 |
As a supplement to your retirement income you may wish to establish a Charitable Gift Annuity now but defer receiving income to some time in the future, perhaps upon retirement. You will know today what amount you can expect to receive in order to best plan for your retirement needs. Please call (973) 539-4425 for a personalized proposal for a deferred charitable gift annuity.
Charitable Remainder Trusts:
Charitable trusts blend the desire to secure your own or your family’s financial future with your charitable intent for The Seeing Eye, Inc.
How it Works
- You transfer cash, securities or other property to a trust.
- You receive an income tax deduction and pay no capital gains tax on transfer to trust. During its term, the trust pays a fixed amount each year to you or to anyone you name.
- When the trust ends, its remaining principal passes to The Seeing Eye, Inc.
All trust documents should be drawn by your own attorney and under the advice of your financial advisors. However, for a personal evaluation of how a trust may be a beneficial way for you to make a gift to The Seeing Eye, Inc. please call (973) 539-4425.
I have Retirement Funds
Did you know that you can support The Seeing Eye, Inc.’s important life-changing mission by naming The Seeing Eye, Inc. as the partial or sole beneficiary of your IRA, 401(K), 403(B) or other retirement assets and by donating via an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?
Why use retirement assets to make a gift?
Since retirement plan assets may be subject to both income and estate taxes if left to heirs, estate planners often recommend that you designate all or a portion of the assets to a charitable organization such as The Seeing Eye, Inc. By leaving such assets to The Seeing Eye, Inc., you can pass other assets to your heirs which may lower the tax burden.
How can I name The Seeing Eye, Inc.?
You should request a “change of beneficiary” form from your retirement plan administrator. On this form you can name The Seeing Eye, Inc. as sole or partial beneficiary, or you can name us as a contingent beneficiary in case you are predeceased by your immediate beneficiary.
|
On the form list us as: |
The Seeing Eye, Inc. |
How do I donate with a QCD?
IRA owners ages 70 ½ or older can donate directly to The Seeing Eye through an approved form of IRA through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). Donations made directly to a charity through a QCD may not be taxed as income up to $100,000 per year for each qualifying IRA owner, with some exceptions. Contact your financial institution directly to find out how to make a gift through a QCD.
I have Excess Life Insurance
Did you know that you can support The Seeing Eye, Inc.’s tradition of bringing independence and dignity to individuals who are blind and visually impaired by naming The Seeing Eye, Inc. as the partial or sole beneficiary of your life insurance policy?
Why life insurance?
By leaving the proceeds of an insurance policy to The Seeing Eye, Inc., this gift will not be subject to estate taxes upon your death. Also, if you transfer ownership of the policy to The Seeing Eye, Inc. during your lifetime, you may qualify for an income tax charitable deduction and you may deduct the cost of future premium payments.
How can I name The Seeing Eye, Inc.?
If the policy already exists, you should request a “change of beneficiary” form from the insurance company. You can name The Seeing Eye, Inc. as sole or partial beneficiary or you can name us as a contingent beneficiary in case you are predeceased by your primary beneficiary.
|
On the form list us as: |
The Seeing Eye, Inc. |
Benefit The Seeing Eye, Inc., Benefit Your Heirs
A Charitable Lead Trust is a gift option that provides a stream of income to The Seeing Eye, Inc. for the term of the trust. At the end of the term the remainder value is usually paid to the donor’s heirs at appreciated values with favorable tax implications.
How it works
- You transfer cash, securities or other property to a trust. You receive a gift tax deduction.
- During its term, the trust pays a fixed amount each year to The Seeing Eye.
- When the trust ends, its remaining principal passes to your family or other heirs you name. Trust growth passes to them tax-free.
These trusts are quite complex and require the advice of your tax and estate planning advisors. The Seeing Eye, Inc. is willing to help guide the process as you plan. Please call us at (973) 539-4425.
The Seeing Eye, Inc. Heritage Society
The Seeing Eye, Inc. Heritage Society was founded in 1989 to recognize and honor those individuals who have taken the important step of including a legacy gift to The Seeing Eye, Inc. in their financial portfolios or estate plans. Members of The Heritage Society have recognized the importance of the continuation of our work with people who are blind and visually impaired and have expressed a commitment to that end by planning a gift which well help provide for the future success of the school.
Legacy gifts make up a large portion of the donations received by The Seeing Eye each year, for which we are most grateful. Gifts of this nature secure the future of our mission, providing ongoing services to our graduates and new students.
It is very possible that you are eligible for membership in The Heritage Society, but haven’t let us know. If you have created a bequest in your will or trust, or named The Seeing Eye, Inc. as beneficiary of a charitable trust, a retirement plan, or a life insurance policy, you are eligible to become a member of The Heritage Society! We want very much to be able to say "thank you" and include you in The Heritage Society events.
Please take a moment to inform us of your intention by calling (973) 539-4425, extension 1735 or email donate@seeingeye.org. You may also download our Heritage Society form (PDF) or fill out the form below.
