Estate Giving

A plain-language guide

Planned giving, explained in plain language.

Bequests, gift annuities, IRA gifts, charitable trusts and more — what each one is, who it suits, and how to take the first step with a cause you care about.

See ways to give Common questions

What is planned giving?

Planned giving means deciding now to make a charitable gift that happens later — most often through your will, a retirement account, or a life-insurance policy — or arranging a gift that pays you income first and supports a charity afterward. It is sometimes called legacy giving. You do not need to be wealthy; the most common planned gift is a simple line in a will.

See the seven most common ways to give

Seven common ways to make a planned gift

Each one suits a different situation. Most people start with the first two.

  • Gift in your will or trust

    Name a charity in your will or living trust for a set amount, a percentage, or whatever remains. Costs nothing today and can be changed at any time.

  • Beneficiary designation

    Name a charity as a beneficiary of a retirement account, life-insurance policy, or bank account. Usually a one-page form — no attorney needed.

  • Charitable gift annuity

    Give cash or stock and receive fixed payments for life from the charity. Whatever remains supports its work. Your payment rate depends on your age.

  • Charitable remainder trust

    Place appreciated assets in a trust that pays you or your loved ones for life or a term of years, then passes what is left to the charity you chose.

  • IRA charitable rollover (QCD)

    If you are 70½ or older, give directly from your IRA. The gift is left out of your taxable income and can count toward a required minimum distribution.

  • Donor-advised fund

    Already have a giving fund? Recommend a grant today, or name a charity to receive what remains in the fund after your lifetime.

  • Stock and other appreciated assets

    Give securities or real estate you have held more than a year. You may avoid capital-gains tax and, if you itemize, deduct the full fair-market value.

How a planned gift comes together

  1. Choose the cause.

    Start with the organization you care about. Most publish their legal name, tax ID and sample wording for wills on their own planned-giving page.

  2. Pick the gift that fits.

    Want to keep full control? A will or beneficiary form. Want income? A gift annuity or remainder trust. Over 70½ with an IRA? A direct IRA gift. Holding appreciated stock? Give the shares themselves.

  3. Make it official — and let them know.

    Wills and trusts go through your attorney; beneficiary changes are a form from your plan provider. Then tell the organization, so it can thank you and honour your wishes.

Already a nonprofit?

The planned-giving pages donors reach from here are created for individual organizations by invitation from our team.

Common questions about planned giving

  • What is planned giving?

    Planned giving is any charitable gift you arrange now that is completed later or paid out over time — a gift in your will, a beneficiary designation on a retirement account or life-insurance policy, a gift annuity, or a charitable trust. It lets you support a cause in a larger way than you might from this year's income, often with tax advantages, while keeping the assets you need during your lifetime. Many people call it legacy giving.

  • Do I have to be wealthy to make a planned gift?

    No. The most common planned gift is a sentence in a will leaving a percentage of what remains after family is provided for — and a percentage adapts automatically if your estate grows or shrinks. Beneficiary designations work the same way: you can name a charity for 5 percent, 50 percent, or any share you choose. Organizations value these gifts because they are easy to make and often larger than a lifetime of annual gifts combined.

  • How do I leave a gift to a charity in my will?

    Ask your attorney to add a short clause, or amend an existing will with a codicil. Typical wording is: "I give [a specific amount / ___ percent of the residue of my estate] to [the organization's full legal name], [city, state], tax ID [__-_______], for its general purposes." The legal name and tax ID matter — many organizations have similar names. Most charities publish this wording on their own websites so you can hand it to your advisor.

  • Can I change my mind later?

    Usually, yes. Gifts in a will or living trust and beneficiary designations are revocable — you can change the amount, the organization, or remove the gift entirely at any time. Gifts that pay you income, such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts, are irrevocable once funded, because the charity has taken on an obligation to pay you. Ask the organization and your advisor which type fits how much flexibility you want to keep.

  • What is a charitable gift annuity, and how are the rates set?

    A charitable gift annuity is a contract: you give cash or securities to a charity, and it pays you (or you and one other person) a fixed amount for life, backed by the charity's assets. The rate is set by your age when you fund it — older donors receive higher rates — and most charities follow the rates suggested by the American Council on Gift Annuities. Part of each payment may be tax-free for a period of years. Availability and minimum amounts vary by organization and state.

  • What is a qualified charitable distribution from an IRA?

    If you are 70½ or older, you can direct your IRA custodian to send money straight to a charity. The amount is excluded from your taxable income — which can lower your taxes even if you do not itemize — and it can count toward your required minimum distribution once those begin at age 73. The yearly limit is more than $100,000 per person and rises with inflation each year. Gifts must go to a public charity, not to a donor-advised fund or private foundation.

  • Will I get a tax deduction?

    It depends on the gift and on how you file. Gifts during your lifetime — cash, stock, or a gift annuity — can be deductible if you itemize, and long-held appreciated stock also lets you avoid capital-gains tax. Starting with the 2026 tax year, people who take the standard deduction can deduct cash gifts to public charities up to $1,000 ($2,000 for joint filers). Gifts made through your estate reduce any estate tax. Your tax advisor can confirm what applies to you.

  • Should I tell the organization about my gift?

    Yes, if you are comfortable doing so. Telling the organization lets it thank you, make sure your wishes can be carried out exactly as you intend, and plan for the future. Many organizations also invite donors who have made a planned gift into a legacy society. Sharing your plans does not make the gift binding — a revocable gift stays revocable — and you can ask that your gift remain anonymous or unpublicized.