Planned Giving Center   Sample Language  

You may be interested in knowing how to designate the Community Foundation in your estate planning or planned giving documents. We are frequently asked to provide sample language to individuals and their professional advisors.

We encourage you or your advisor to contact us so that we can understand fully how you wish your gift to be used. You may choose to enter into a fund agreement with the Community Foundation, so you have comfort knowing we agree to hold your gift in the manner you want it to be used. You do not necessarily have to put assets into the fund now. Rather, you can enter into the agreement now so that you know we will hold the property we receive from you at a later date in a manner reflecting your goals.

Likewise, you should always consult with your attorney prior to making any revisions to your estate planning documents. A simple change could affect taxes and the property rights of other beneficiaries.

Your attorney may find the following sample language useful when including the Community Foundation as a beneficiary in your planning.

Distributions under your will or trust

Specific Bequest
"I give to the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, a Michigan nonprofit corporation, (the sum of $ ________) OR (all my right, title and interest in the following described property ______________________) to be used in such manner as its Board of Trustees determines in its sole discretion."

Residuary Bequest
"I give to the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, a Michigan nonprofit corporation, _____ % of the residue to be used in such manner as its Board of Trustees determines in its sole discretion."

Life insurance and retirement plan beneficiary designations

Designate the beneficiary as "Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, a Michigan nonprofit corporation."

If you would like to have your contribution create a named fund at the Community Foundation

General Purpose (Discretionary) Fund
"_________ to the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan ("Foundation"), a Michigan nonprofit corporation, to be used to establish the ______________ Fund, a permanent endowment fund to be used in such manner as the Board of Trustees of the Foundation determines in its sole discretion."

Targeted Field-of-Interest Fund
"_________ to the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan ("Foundation"), a Michigan nonprofit corporation, to be used to establish the ______________ Fund, a permanent endowment fund to be used to support charitable organizations and activities in the area of ________________________ (a particular charitable purpose such as "arts and culture"), as the Foundation's Board of Trustees determines in its sole discretion."

Other language

We would encourage your professional advisor to contact us if your advisor needs sample language for charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, gift annuities, pooled income funds, supporting organizations or other arrangements. We would be happy to provide whatever assistance we can.