What is legacy giving?
You may have heard the term “legacy giving” but weren’t sure what it meant. Here’s a basic definition: it is simply planning to make a difference, both for yourself and for a cause that you believe in, through a charitable gift. The goal of such gifts is to “leave a legacy” that can make an impact for future generations.
How can I create a legacy for future generations at Los Altos UMC?
You can make a lasting difference in the life of Los Altos UMC and those it serves by including the church in your personal legacy giving plan. The Endowment Committee was created in 1992 specifically to manage an endowment for the perpetual benefit of Los Altos UMC and its ministries. The members of the Endowment Committee are ready to help anyone who wants more information about options for contributing assets to the Endowment Fund.
Who can create a legacy gift? Is it a complicated process?
Any individual, at any point in life, can create a legacy gift. It can be as easy as naming a charity on the beneficiary form on a savings, checking or pension account, or through a more complex instrument like a charitable trust. It is important to seek the advice of an estate-planning professional when deciding which option will best achieve your goals. No matter which instrument you choose, all these gifts represent a powerful and meaningful way to create a philanthropic legacy for your community and the organizations you care about.
A legacy gift can:
- give you a tax advantage (often the tax benefits are quite substantial)
- fit appropriately with your estate plans and concerns for heirs
- complement your lifestyle goals
- match your wish to leave a legacy to the cause you care about
What is the John Wesley Society?
The John Wesley Society was established to honor United Methodists in the California-Nevada Annual Conference who have remembered their United Methodist church or any United Methodist ministry by naming it in a legacy gift. The John Wesley Society makes no distinctions about the amount of such a gift. Anyone who has made a legacy gift to a United Methodist ministry is eligible for membership.
For more information:
If you have questions about how to create a lasting legacy for Los Altos UMC or you have already decided to take this important step in your estate planning, we encourage you to contact the Endowment Committee for more information. The California-Nevada United Methodist Foundation also provides excellent information about legacy gifts.