The Center has long recognized the need to provide our supporters with the opportunity to memorialize or honor loved ones. A Memorial Gift is a beautiful way to perpetuate and celebrate the memory of a loved one. Most memorials are cash gifts at the time of a loved ones death, however, they can also be given at particular times during the year including anniversaries, birthdays, holidays and other special occasions. Honorarium Gifts are generally given to honor or recognize a living person, usually a loved one. The Center will acknowledge gifts by notifying both the donor and the family of the deceased or honoree. These gifts can be made at any time and may be unrestricted (for use as needed) or restricted (for use as the donor advises).
There are various ways in which you can make a lasting gift to the Violence Prevention Center. The best way to give will depend upon the type and amount of your assets, income needs, age, and personal desires for giving. Some ways to give are:
Outright Gifts
You may give cash, real estate, or securities to the Center. These gifts are tax deductible. Cash is the most common way of giving. Gifts of appreciated securities and real estate may offer tax advantages.*
Bequests
Under your will, you may leave a sum of money, property, securities, or a percentage of your estate to the Center. This is a way of making a special or substantial gift without diminishing your assets during your lifetime.
Life Insurance
You can assign policy ownership to the Center, or name it as primary, secondary, final, or residual beneficiary. If you name the Center as irrevocable owner or beneficiary, the cash value of your policy may qualify as a charitable gift, and future premiums may be tax deductible.* Or you can put life insurance in a trust with the proceeds payable in a living trust.
Living Trust
You may put cash, securities, or real estate in trust so that the trust becomes operable during your lifetime. With a charitable remainder trust, you can arrange for income to be paid to the center at death, in accordance with the trust agreement. With a charitable lead trust, you can set aside assets for the Center's benefit, normally for at least ten years, after which the assets pass back to you or whoever you designate. These unitrusts may provide tax benefits.*
Gift Annuities
You may buy a gift annuity for cash, property, or securities. An annual income for yourself and/or a loved one is guaranteed for life. At death, any unconsumed portion will be paid to the Center. There may be tax benefits.*
Life Estates
You may give your personal residence, farm, or resort property now and continue to live there, maintain the property, and use any income it produces. An income tax deduction may be allowed for part of the value of any irrevocable gift of this kind.*
*Please consult your attorney or tax advisor for complete details.
For further information or an appointment, contact the Executive Director
Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois
(618) 236-2531