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How to Make a Bequest

Discover the Benefits of Making a Bequest

A bequest is a provision in your will or trust that allows you to designate a gift to be given to individuals, organizations, or charities after your passing. With guidance from an advisor, this thoughtful gesture lets you leave behind a specific amount of money, property, or other assets to beneficiaries of your choice, including charitable organizations like The Salvation Army. Bequests are a straightforward and impactful way to support causes that are important to you and ensure your legacy continues to make a difference.

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Your bequest will:

  • Leave a Lasting Legacy: Your bequest helps support the causes and organizations you cherish, leaving a meaningful impact for future generations.
  • Reduce Tax Burden: Bequests can potentially lessen the tax burden on your family by utilizing charitable deductions.
  • Create Estate Tax Savings: Depending on your estate planning, making a bequest could lead to estate tax savings.

Explore Your Options: You have several options when making a bequest:

  • Specify a specific dollar amount or asset to gift.
  • Designate a percentage of your estate to be donated.
  • Allocate assets from the balance or residue of your estate.
  • Make beneficiary designations for specific assets.

Would you like to learn more about bequests?

  • Contact Us: Connect with our team to begin planning your bequest.
  • Request an Estate Planning Guide: To receive our comprehensive guide to record your wishes and distribute your estate, please contact Lawrence Johnson, at 605-585-3929 or [email protected].

Sample Language for Charitable Bequests in Wills or Trusts

Thank you for your interest in planning a gift to support the important mission of The Salvation Army! Please share this sample language below with your legal counsel.

  1. Unrestricted Bequests

    The following is suggested language for unrestricted bequests to help fund the greatest current need to support The Salvation Army in the Midwest:

    I give to The Salvation Army (Tax ID ##36-2167910), Central Territorial Headquarters: (choose one)

    • ____% of my estate or
    • the sum of $____ or
    • all my right, title, and interest in the following described property ____ or
    • all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate.

    The following is suggested language for unrestricted bequests to help fund the greatest current need to support The Salvation Army in your Division:

    I give to The Salvation Army (Tax ID ##36-2167910), [Western Division]: (choose one)

    • ____% of my estate or
    • the sum of $____ or
    • all my right, title, and interest in the following described property ____ or
    • all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate.

    The following is suggested language for unrestricted bequests to help fund the greatest current need to support The Salvation Army in your local community:

    I give to The Salvation Army (Tax ID ##36-2167910), [Community Name]: (choose one)

    • ____% of my estate or
    • the sum of $____ or
    • all my right, title, and interest in the following described property ____ or
    • all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate.

  2. Restricted Bequests

    The following is suggested language for restricted bequests to be used for a purpose designated by you.

    I give to The Salvation Anny (Tax ID ##36-2167910), a not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the state of Illinois and located in Hoffman Estates, IL: (choose one)

    • ____% of my estate or
    • the sum of $____ or
    • all my right, title, and interest in the following described property ____ or
    • all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate.

    to be used for: [Name of an existing program, general purpose, and/or a specific location]

    The designation of the preferences for which this gift is to be used shall not be construed as requiring the administration of this gift as a trust, the furnishing of bonds, or the making of annual reports to the court.

    In the event The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion, determines that the use of this gift for the preferences stated is no longer legal, practical, or possible of performance, or for other good and lawful reason, then said preferences should be changed, and said board of directors shall use this gift for such purposes as The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion, determines will best promote the mission of The Salvation Army.

  3. Restricted for Endowment

    For restricted bequests to the permanent endowment fund, we suggest the following:

    I give to The Salvation Army (Tax ID ##36-2167910), a not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the state of Illinois and located in Hoffman Estates, IL: (choose one)

    • ____% of my estate or
    • the sum of $____ or
    • all my right, title, and interest in the following described property ____ or
    • all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate.

    to be used for ________ Fund.

    Details for the management and administration of this fund are contained in the Fund Agreement between the Salvation Army and ____ Designation of the preferences for which this gift is to be used shall not be construed as requiring the administration office gift as a trust, the furnishing of bonds, or the making of annual reports to the court.

    In the event the Salvation Army, in its sole discretion, determines that the use of this gift for the preferences stated is no longer legal, practical, or possible of performance, or for other good and lawful reason, then said preferences should be changed, and Salvation Army shall use this fund for such purposes as it, in its sole discretion, determines will best promote the mission of the Salvation Army.

For questions or to discuss your charitable bequest, please contact:

Lawrence Johnson
605-585-3929
[email protected]

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