Planned Giving Opportunities

Charitable Lead Trusts

With some kinds of charitable lead trusts, the donor does not have to relinquish a claim to the money or property used to establish the trust. Rather, the donor transfers assets into a trust which pays income to APF for a specified number of years, after which the principal reverts to the donor or to the donor’s heirs, with reduced estate and gift taxes.

Gifts of Life Insurance

A life insurance policy becomes a contribution to psychology when the donor turns the policy over to the Foundation as its owner and beneficiary. The donor can receive a number of tax benefits by making this designation. Premium payments made on the policy can be considered charitable gifts. The cash value of the policy can be considered an immediate tax deduction for the donor, and the policy’s value can be removed from a donor’s taxable estate.

Charitable Remainder Trusts

Two types of charitable remainder trusts provide for an eventual gift to APF at the same time that they generate lifetime income for the donor (or sequentially for the donor and then another beneficiary).

An Annuity Trust pays the donor a fixed sum annually. A Unitrust pays the donor a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust’s assets, which are valued annually.

Both plans allow the donor to receive current charitable deductions based on the actuarial value of the trust at the time it is terminated.

Making a Bequest

There is no better way to leave a legacy than to remember APF in your estate plans. Making a bequest to the Foundation is a wonderful way for you to give back to the profession, and because APF is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization, your bequest will be exempt from taxes.

Making a bequest is as simple as asking your attorney to include language in your will expressing your wish to do so. Once you have made a bequest and informed APF in writing that you have done so, you will become a member of APF’s Legacy Club.

For a list of current APF Legacy Club Members click here.

The following are different ways to remember APF in your estate plans:

Fixed Gift

You can choose to leave APF a fixed gift in your estate. This is the most common way psychologists leave a bequest to the Foundation.

Sample language: I bequeath to the American Psychological Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit corporation organized under Delaware law now maintaining its headquarters in the District of Columbia at 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002, the sum of $______ (or describe the specific property you intend to bequeath – stocks, savings bonds, etc.).

Percentage

You may leave APF a percentage of your estate.

Sample language: I bequeath to the American Psychological Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit corporation organized under Delaware law now maintaining its headquarters in the District of Columbia at 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002, _______% of the rest and residue of my estate.

Residuary

Some psychologists designate that APF receive what is left of their estate left after all other debts, taxes, expenses, and other bequests have been fulfilled.

Sample language: After all specific bequests, devises, and expenses have been taken care of, I hereby give the residuary of my estate to the American Psychological Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit corporation organized under Delaware law now maintaining its headquarters in the District of Columbia at 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002.

APF strongly urges you to consult with your attorney when developing or making changes to your will or other estate plans.

APF Tax ID: 52-6051733

More Information

For more information about charitable remainder trusts, contact Elisabeth Straus, Executive Vice-President/Executive Director, at (202) 336-5824.

 

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Leaving a Legacy