Bequest language

Please note: Community Foundation of Wabash County, Inc. urges all prospective donors to seek the assistance of personal legal and financial advisors in matters relating to their gifts, and the resulting tax and estate planning consequences.

The following are recommended clauses that may be used by a donor to make a gift to the Community Foundation of Wabash County, Inc. through a will or trust.

General Unrestricted Bequest
“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Community Foundation of Wabash County, Inc., North Manchester, Indiana, or its successor, [PERCENTAGE OF RESIDUE, SUM OR DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY], which shall be used for such purposes as the board of directors may determine.”

Pursuant to Existing Fund Agreement
“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Community Foundation of Wabash County, Inc., North Manchester, Indiana, or its successor, the sum of $___________ [OR OTHERWISE DESCRIBE THE GIFT] and direct that this bequest be added to the [NAME] Endowment Fund to be used pursuant to the Fund Agreement on file at the Community Foundation.”

Field of Interest- But Unrestricted as to Use
“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Community Foundation of Wabash County, Inc., North Manchester, Indiana, or its successor, [PERCENTAGE OF RESIDUE, SUM OR DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY] to establish an endowment, the income of which shall be distributed by the board of directors to [DESCRIBE AREA OF INTEREST] for use where the need is greatest.”

Restricted-to be used only for specific purposes, e.g., scholarships
“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Community Foundation of Wabash County, Inc., North Manchester, Indiana, or its successor, [PERCENTAGE OF RESIDUE, SUM OR DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY] to establish an endowment, the income of which shall be distributed by the board of directors as scholarships to students enrolled in [NAME OF SCHOOL OR AREA OF STUDY].” OR “to be added to the [NAME] Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of Wabash County, Inc.”

Addition to Unrestricted Endowment Fund
“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Community Foundation of Wabash County, Inc., North Manchester, Indiana, or its successor, the sum of $__________ [OR OTHERWISE DESCRIBE THE GIFT] and direct that this bequest be added to the Good Deeds Endowment.

Designated Beneficiary- If no Fund Agreement is on file with the Community Foundation of Wabash County, Inc.
“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Community Foundation of Wabash County, Inc. (“Community Foundation”), or its successor, [PERCENTAGE OF RESIDUE, SUM OR DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY], to be held as a separate endowment fund of the Community Foundation, which shall be known and designated as the__________________________(the “Fund”). The Fund shall be held and distributed upon the following terms and conditions: A. The Community Foundation may, in its discretion, accept additional contributions to the Fund from others. B. Income from the Fund shall be distributed to___________________ [NAME(S) OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION(S) TO RECEIVE INCOME FROM FUND], the amount distributed to each such entity and to each chapter, division, or office thereof, to be determined by the Community Foundation in its discretion from time to time. The term “income” as used in this letter shall mean the amount available for distribution from the Fund in accordance with the Community Foundation’s Spending Policy. C. Income may be distributed less often than annually whenever the Community Foundation determines temporary accumulation to be advisable or appropriate. D. Assets of the Fund may be commingled for the purposes of investment with other assets of the Community Foundation.

Bequest of Residue
after all other bequests are made “All [OR A PORTION OF] of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, of every kind and description, wherever situated and whether now owned or hereafter acquired, I give, devise, and bequeath to the Community Foundation of Wabash County, Inc., North Manchester, Indiana, or its successor, to establish an endowment, the income of which shall be used for such purposes as the board of directors may determine.”

Contingent Bequest- if other bequests cannot be completed
"In the case of a failure of lapse of any legacy or device herein such that the property so bequeathed or devised would pass by intestacy, I direct that in lieu thereof such property shall pass to the Community Foundation of Wabash County, Inc., North Manchester, Indiana, or its successor, to establish an endowment, to be known as the [NAME] Fund, the income of which sall be used for such purposes as the board of directors may determine."

Codicil
A testamentary gift may also be made by a codicil to your will without requiring the drafting of an entire new will. Estate planning counsel should be employed to prepare the codicil and to supervise its execution in order to comply with all the requirements so the law of the state in which the maker of the Will resides, as well as the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code governing the deduction of charitable gifts and bequests. It is also recommended that a Fund Agreement be signed between the donor and the Community Foundation that reflects the donor’s philanthropic wishes. Prior to funding, the Fund Agreement can be changed as situations change and it will not be necessary to change the will or codicil.