Planned Giving

A Gift in Your Will: Getting Started

We hope you'll consider including a gift to Futures in Education or Alive in Hope Foundation of the Diocese of Brooklyn in your will or living trust. Called a charitable bequest, this type of gift offers these main benefits:

Simplicity. Just a few sentences in your will or trust are all that is needed. The official bequest language for Futures in Education or Alive in Hope Foundation is: "I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give and bequeath the sum of $____________ to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn for its general purposes (unrestricted) or for a specific named program (restricted)."
Examples of named programs are Alive in Hope Foundation, Futures in Education, a Parish or School, etc.
Flexibility. Because you are not actually making a gift until after your lifetime, you can change your mind at any time.
Versatility. You can structure the bequest to leave a specific item or amount of money, make the gift contingent on certain events, or leave a percentage of your estate to us.
Tax Relief. If your estate is subject to estate tax, your gift is entitled to an estate tax charitable deduction for the gift's full value.

We understand.
Your circumstances may change and you can change your gift at any time.

How It Works
To make a charitable bequest, you need a current will or revocable living trust.

Your gift can be made as a percentage of your estate. Or you can make a specific bequest by giving a certain amount of cash, securities or property. After your lifetime, Futures in Education or Alive in Hope Foundation of the Diocese of Brooklyn receives your gift.

Charitable Bequest

Create a will or trust leaving part of your estate to family and part to Futures in Education or Alive in Hope Foundation of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Your Will or Trust

Your Family

Your death

Futures in Education or Alive in Hope Foundation of the Diocese of Brooklyn

Putting Your Family First
When planning a future gift, it's sometimes difficult to determine what size donation will make sense. Emergencies happen, and you need to make sure your family is financially taken care of first. Including a bequest of a percentage of your estate ensures that your gift will remain proportionate no matter how your estate's value fluctuates over the years.


	Download a free guide about making your first will.

We Can Help
Contact Tom O'Brien at 718-965-7375 or info@aliveinhope.org with any questions about naming Futures in Education or Alive in Hope Foundation of the Diocese of Brooklyn in your will or living trust. We're happy to help, without obligation.

Your Next Steps
Getting Started | Is This Gift Right for You? | Case Study | How to Complete Your Gift | Action Items

The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For legal or tax advice, please consult an attorney. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes apply to federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results.