Indigenous cultures have survived to the present day because of the tenacious, devoted perseverance of individuals who refused to lose their identity; who understood the value of their cultural inheritance and the responsibility they shared for its continuation. They saw beyond their own fleeting time on the physical plane and envisioned a future for the generations yet unborn.

Planned giving allows you to choose the legacy you create. The most common type of planned giving is a bequest; a gift of a specified amount or item(s), as directed by your will.

Having a will is a crucial element for many reasons. A will is the legal instrument that offers your surviving loved ones direction in all aspects of your affairs. If you have children, it is particularly important to have a will that addresses matters of custody, and insures that they are the beneficiaries of the assets you want them to have. If you own real property, a will is absolutely essential.

For a brief overview of the basic kinds of planned giving, and a glossary of commonly used terms, click here. If you do not have a will, living trust or other instrument that will guide your loved ones in arranging your final affairs, click here for a free planner to help you organize your thoughts and your information. Whether you choose to incorporate a bequest in your will or not, please take advantage of this resource. It will help demystify the will process and bring you closer to creating your own.

Bequests generally do not require the services of an attorney or financial planner, but annuities and other structured planned giving instruments do. We will work with your financial planners and legal advisors to insure that your gift is administered as you desire, without the burden of additional legal costs. We will also honor your wishes regarding acknowledgement or anonymity, as well as how your support is directed.