A bequest is a provision in a will or living trust that gifts assets to the BHI Foundation upon the death of the donor. The gift can take the form of cash, a specific amount or item, a percentage of the estate, or securities.

Charitable Gift Annuities (CGAs) are the cornerstone of the BHI Foundation’s growth. A CGA can benefit one person or two people consecutively. It can also be entered into for the benefit of another person. A Deferred Charitable Gift Annuity option is also available. In addition to its value to BHI’s communities, a CGA offers many potential benefits to the donor*:

• Secured fixed income for life
• Higher-income based on age
• Charitable deduction/tax savings
• Bypass of a capital gain on the gift
• Tax-free income portion
• Remainder to charity
• Charitable Remainder Trusts

A Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) is a trust in which the remainder (whatever assets remain after all other terms and conditions have been fulfilled) is transmitted to a qualified nonprofit charitable organization such as the BHI Foundation.

There are two types of CRTs:

• A Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust provides a fixed income each year.
• A Charitable Remainder Unitrust provides an income that is revalued annually.

Each type of CRT bypasses capital gains, provides an income increase, and offers a charitable tax deduction.*

A Charitable Lead Trust (CLT) is a trust that provides an income stream to a charity, after which the trustee returns the remainder to whomever the donor designates (usually the donor’s heirs). It is, therefore, the reverse of a CRT. It can be very useful to provide a gift and at the same time conserve assets for one’s heirs at substantially reduced gift taxes.

A gift of a life insurance policy — with the BHI Foundation named as the owner and beneficiary — is an appealing way to make an outright charitable gift. It acknowledges your commitment now, permits a much larger gift than could otherwise be made currently, and is made from assets that will not affect your level of income.