Resources

Bequests

Donors can leave a bequest of a specific amount of cash, a percentage of an estate, or the remainder of the estate in a will or living trust and create a permanent legacy. There's no limit on the amount that can be set aside from an estate. A donor may make a gift of cash, securities, or other property — and the estate will receive a tax deduction in the amount of the charitable bequest. If a will has already been drafted, a charitable bequest can be added with a simple amendment or codicil.

Sample language

The following language in a will can create a charitable bequest:

Unrestricted bequests: Provide income for the Jewish community each year in perpetuity by making a general bequest:

I bequeath $_______ (or _____% of my residuary estate) to The Jewish Community Foundation, Oakland, California for its general purposes.

Federation Annual Campaign bequests: Create an endowment to make yearly contributions in perpetuity to the Jewish Community Federation's annual campaign:

I bequeath $_______ (or _____% of my residuary estate) to The Jewish Community Foundation, Oakland, California to be used to endow my Annual Campaign gift to the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay, Oakland, California.

Special purposes: Support a specific agency or cause of interest to you every year, in perpetuity, with a designated bequest to establish an endowment fund:

I bequeath $________ (or ______% of my residuary estate) to The Jewish Community Foundation, Oakland, California, to be added to and administered as part of an endowment fund to support ___________ (Jewish Family and Children's Service, charitable needs in Israel, Jewish education, Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living, etc.)

At a glance

Established through a will or living trust
May be made in any amount — no matter how small or large
Provides an estate tax deduction
Provides permanent resources for organizations important to the donor

More Bequest Language

We have provided charitable bequest language in two sections:

The type of bequest (e.g., a fixed amount, specific property, a percentage, residue)
The purpose of the bequest (the organization or field of interest that will be supported)

Part 1: Type of Bequest

A fixed amount:
I bequeath to The Jewish Community Foundation, 300 Grand Avenue, Oakland, California, the sum of ___________________ dollars, ($__________ )...

Specified property:
I bequeath to The Jewish Community Foundation, 300 Grand Avenue, Oakland, California, ___________________ (describe specified property)...

A percentage of adjusted gross estate (percentage):
I bequeath to The Jewish Community Foundation, 300 Grand Avenue, Oakland, California, ______% of my adjusted gross estate as finally determined for federal estate tax purposes...

A percentage of the adjusted gross estate (sum or percentage):
I bequeath to The Jewish Community Foundation, 300 Grand Avenue, Oakland, California, the sum of ___________________________ dollars ($_________) or ______% of my adjusted gross estate as finally determined for federal estate tax purposes, whichever is the (greater or lesser)...

The entire estate or the residue (amount left in estate after other beneficiaries):
I bequeath the residue of the property owned by me at death, real and personal and wherever situate, to The Jewish Community Foundation, 300 Grand Avenue, Oakland, California...

A percentage of the residue:
I bequeath ______ % of the residue of the property owned by me at my death, real and personal and wherever situate, to The Jewish Community Foundation, 300 Grand Avenue, Oakland, California...

Part 2: Purpose of the Bequest

As an unrestricted bequest:
...as a gift to the Permanent Community Endowment, the unrestricted funds of the Foundation.

To establish a PACE (Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment):
...to establish a Permanent Annual Campaign Endowment entitled the "___________ PACE Fund" to be held in accordance with the provisions of the California state law governing management of institutional funds, with annual distributions from this Fund supporting the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay, Oakland, California.

For a specific purpose:
...to establish an endowment fund entitled "the ____________________ Endowment Fund" for the purpose of ______________________________ (e.g., Jewish education, the Jewish Community Center, etc.), to be held in accordance with the provisions of the California state law governing management of institutional funds.

This material is informational only, and should not be construed as legal or tax advice.