WHAT LEGACY WILL YOU LEAVE?
PHILANTHROPY - LEGACY
CREATE A LASTING LEGACY.
For more than 160 years, Ecumen has served older adults over the age of 55 through vital healthcare, housing, and innovative services. Our mission is to empower individuals and families to confidently navigate aging so that it is a purposeful journey filled with dignity and support.
As the need for our work grows, we rely on generous contributions from people like you. With a gift through your will or estate plan, you can make a lasting difference in the lives of older adults whose needs often go unmet.
HOW TO MAKE A BEQUEST IN YOUR WILL
Here is sample language to guide you and your attorney in drafting a bequest of a specific dollar amount or property:
“I give, devise, and bequeath to Ecumen, a Minnesota 501(c)(3) organization, ________ (insert sum, percentage, description of property or remainder) to be used for its general purposes or ________ (specify purposes).”
As a donor, you can provide funding for a specific Ecumen community, or to a program, such as Hospice or Home Care. It is important that you indicate your preference in your will or estate plan and talk with Ecumen’s Mission Advancement team to make sure your gift is allocated as you wish.
Agency Name: Ecumen | Tax ID: 41-0711588
ECUMEN’S LEGACY SOCIETY
Choosing to support our critical work through your will or estate plan makes you a member of Ecumen’s Legacy Society. You will be invited to special events and activities and be regularly updated on the latest happenings at Ecumen. We want you to know how important your gifts are to our work and how you’re making a difference in the lives of those we serve every day.
THE IMPORTANCE OF A WILL
Did you know that three out of four people don’t have a will? A will is a simple yet important legal document that ensures your property is distributed according to your wishes. You retain full control of your assets throughout your lifetime, with any gifts taking effect only after you’re gone.
Without a will, your state government determines how your estate is handled, which might not align with your personal wishes. Having a will can help ease the burden on your loved ones and ensure your legacy is carried out just as you planned. A will:
- Can create a trust to provide financial security for loved ones with special needs.
- Allows you to name a guardian for your children.
- Offers a chance to support charities like Ecumen.
- May help reduce taxes and other costs, preserving more of your estate.
- Gives you a way to pass on your values, reflecting your beliefs and their importance in your life.
SIMPLE WAYS TO MAKE A LEGACY GIFT
A variety of funds are available to choose from, helping ensure your gift is consistent with your individual values.
A bequest is an easy way to give. You can leave a specific amount or percentage. It’s important that your wishes are clear and defined, so consult with us to ensure we can carry out your intentions.
Name Ecumen (or one of its communities or programs) as a beneficiary of your life insurance or retirement plan. IRA assets are often ideal for charitable gifts due to tax considerations.
Gifting stock held for over 12 months allows you to avoid capital gains taxes and provides a larger gift and tax deduction for the market value.
This unique arrangement provides you with lifetime annual payments in exchange for a gift to Ecumen. After your passing, the remaining annuity goes to help those we serve.
This is an excellent way to benefit yourself, your spouse, or other family members. It offers substantial tax savings and an income. Charitable Remainder Trusts are especially helpful for those who would like to sell land or stock tax-free.
A LEGACY OF COMPASSION
For more than 160 years, Ecumen has been blessed by the generous gifts of individuals to provide vital healthcare and housing options for older adults. We have been able to do this incredible work because of people like you. I am humbled and gratified by the kindness and generosity of people who include Ecumen in their wills and estate plans. Our mission is brighter and made secure by people who wish to see our work continue for the next 160 years. We are so grateful! We have received many bequests from compassionate people who consider it fitting to provide us with donations from their estates. Planned Gifts help sustain our programs and services into the future to help older adults and their families navigate the aging process with dignity. This includes home care and hospice services, rehabilitation care, independent living, assisted living, memory care, and more.
– Shelley Kendrick, Ecumen President & Chief Executive Officer
LET'S TALK ABOUT LEGACY GIVING
If you would like to learn more about helping to provide for Ecumen’s work, please contact our Planned Giving office via email or phone. We will be happy to discuss your options and share our plans for the future: