DONORS – The Legacy Society

Members of The Legacy Society come from all walks of life, with each of them possessing the desire to give back. A donation of any size can make a difference for generations to come right here in your own community. The Community Foundation of Will County provides a simple way for donors to support their favorite causes in Will County and beyond. You have worked hard, saved wisely, and invested well. Using the power of endowments, the assets you leave to the community will continue to grow, supporting good works for generations.

While a legacy gift may take different forms—bequest, insurance, or trust—the result is the same – providing for the future needs and opportunities of the community. Members of The Legacy Society share one thing in common – a commitment to support the future of their community through the final gift of their lifetime.

How will you be remembered?

You can create a lasting legacy through any qualified estate vehicle, and The Community Foundation of Will County’s role is to receive, administer and provide ongoing stewardship of your estate gift to ensure that its donors’ intentions are honored.

We thank those who wish to be recognized for their generosity and forethought, as members of The Legacy Society. Those who wish to remain anonymous may do so.

Membership

• Estate gifts can be made in a variety of forms – bequests via will or trust; beneficiary arrangements of insurance, IRA or pension benefits; charitable remainder trusts or gift annuities; gifts of other tangible things such as real estate or valued collections.
• Those who document or attest to the decision to make an estate gift to The Community Foundation of Will County are invited to be members of The Legacy Society for formal recognition, or can remain anonymous if desired.
• This recognition may include the announcement of the gift in the community foundation publicity or a special invitation to any events for The Legacy Society members or other friends of the foundation.

When you become part of The Legacy Society, you have a chance to:

• Name your charitable fund, which can last permanently if the value exceeds $100,000.
• Establish a legacy that not only carries your name into future generations, but reflects the values behind your decision to make such a gift.
• Participate in crafting the use of your future fund to ensure that it honors the causes or organizations that you value and cherish.
• Be recognized today in our publicity, if desired, to inspire similar giving by others. Also, to be remembered in the future as your name remains connected to your fund and in our membership listings to remind future generations of your dedication to the community.
• Attend our educational and celebration events to learn more about the impact of philanthropy among us, and to associate with your neighbors who share similar values.
• Gain satisfaction from knowing that your gift, combined with those of others, will create a positive and enduring impact on the quality of life in our region.
• Be thanked in advance for your thoughtful decisions, and stimulate the interest of other potential donors.

Planning Your Legacy

Why do people give to charity through their estate plans?
Planning an estate gift allows you to strategically accomplish both financial and charitable objectives – making sure you have the assets you need for as long as you live, and doing something of lasting significance for the charitable causes and organizations important to you. For many people, these may also include preserving the family name, honoring loved ones, providing for heirs, minimizing tax burdens and supporting the community they call home. Bequests to the community foundation are exempt from estate taxes.

Sample Estate Language

When making or updating your will, please consider a gift to The Community Foundation of Will County. An estate-planning attorney can assist you in adding one of the following paragraph to your will:

“I give to The Community Foundation of Will County, and Illinois Not For Profit Corporation of Joliet, Illinois, [the sum of $____________], or [the rest, remainder, and residue of my estate], or [ ______________% of the rest, remainder and residue of my estate] for its general charitable purposes to improve the quality of life for Will County residents.

Our legal name is The Community Foundation of Will County. Please call for more information.

Statement of Intent

Download The Legacy Society Statement of Intent