Planned Giving: Getting Started

When it comes to charity, have you ever found yourself saying, “I wish I could help,”? Even if you are someone who never has free time, or you are not really the ‘hands on’ type, there are still ways to give, and gift planning can be a very rewarding part of your own personal legacy. Everyone wants to know that they’ve accomplished something great and to leave behind a trail of goodwill. Planned giving will give you the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve given someone who is struggling to survive a helping hand.

Once you’ve made the decision to become a donor, you’ll want to find the right charity. To begin with, you’ll want to give to an organization that has some staying power. Fly-by-night schemes are everywhere these days and it’s crucial to know what to look for in a legitimate cause. This can usually be determined with a minor amount of internet research. It’s always a good idea to start by looking at groups that are local because it will allow you to follow up more closely on their activities, but it will also give you the chance to ensure that your donation will go toward helping your neighbors and community. Be sure to look for an agency that is an Official IRS Recognized 501 (c)(3) charity, which should be advertised fairly openly, as this will guarantee that your donation is made securely and also that you will receive the appropriate tax deductions.

Another easy way to find a legitimate organization is by looking at whether or not they openly volunteer to their donors what percentage of their intake goes directly to their recipients. You should know that the law does not require a minimum standard on this percentage in order for a business group to function as a charity. This means that a ‘charitable’ group can have all the right earmarks of legitimacy – such as swanky benefits, testimonials, web sites, etc. – and still only donate as little as 1% of their collections to the targeted population. Charities are also not obligated to offer this information to the public, so beware of any group that minimizes or ignores this important information.

You’ll also want to choose a charity group that offers different giving options, maximum tax deductions, and the right to set up the donation so that it helps a particular group of your choosing, such as veterans or children and families. You should also consider the flexibility of types of donations accepted to ensure a good fit. A good charity should allow you to donate anything from cars or other vehicles to property, artwork, or a monetary bequest. It’s important to know for sure that your chosen organization has made as easy and safe as possible for you to donate, so be sure to ask about procedures. Settling an estate is complicated enough without the added hassle of legal entanglements or petitions later on!

Make a Planned Gift to Volunteers of America

            Since the 1890s, Greater New Orleans Volunteers of America has been providing charitable services to Louisiana in 16 parishes. Volunteers of America accepts planned gifts of all types and amounts, and they will help you structure your gift so that you receive the maximum tax benefits available. Call (504) 482-2130 for more information or visit www.voagno.org and select the “Give A Gift” tab to get started, or just read some of their success stories. Gifts can be made online, by phone, fax or mail, and donations can be anything from stocks or mutual funds to a car to volunteer hours. Start your legacy today!

How to Choose the Right Charity for a Will Bequest

Before you begin, be prepared to do a little light internet research. There are many worthy causes from which to choose and you want to select the one that carries the most meaning for you. However, you also need to know that the charity organization you choose has a solid background with legitimate achievements. In this day and age, a charity that does not have an easily accessible web site will not make it very far. Promotion and awareness of their cause is absolutely vital to the success of any charitable objective, so a simple keyword search using terms like ‘Charity Giving’ or ‘Will Bequest’ should bring up several good choices immediately.

Another thing you’ll want to look for is how long the group has been around and what are some of their success stories. Legitimate charity organizations will want to boast about these things, so keep that in mind as you conduct your research. It’s usually a good idea to start with a group that has a local office so that you can more readily follow along with what they are doing. For many donors, this is also done out of a sense of loyalty to one’s community. If you are looking for ways to help veterans or foster children, you should be able to find a group that supports them in your area. Most national campaigns have offices in various cities all over the country, so don’t be discouraged! There are many sound organizations that help a long list of populations in need and they are eager to tell of their success!

When choosing which group is right for you there are two very important things you should know: first, if they are officially recognized by the IRS as a 501 (c)(3) charity, as this will guarantee the security of your donation, and second, what percentage of their collections go toward they people they serve. This second piece of information is very important because there is no legal limit to how little a charity has to use actually helping others. This means that that actual amount given to recipients could be as little as 1% of all monies collected. The fact that charities are not obligated to give out this information will actually help you by looking out for groups that either minimize or ignore completely this telling detail. A charity that is truly legitimate will be proud of what they are doing and should volunteer this information as a selling point!

Create Your Legacy by Making a Will Bequest to Volunteers of America New Orleans

            Volunteers of America New Orleans has been proving aid and support to southern Louisiana residents for over 100 years. Visit Volunteers of America to learn about their programs that fund housing for veterans, mentors for children, food for families living in poverty, programs for persons with disabilities, and much more! An average of .88 cents of every dollar collected goes directly toward funding their many invaluable programs. Volunteers of America New Orleans will also guarantee that you receive the maximum tax benefits available for your donation, and their experienced staff can help you make a will bequest that helps as many people as possible while allowing you to choose what you would like to give, how you’d like to give it, and to whom it will be given. You can change someone’s life today! Call (504) 482-2130, or go to www.voagno.org and get started!