Gift Options
Within the framework of a will there are several possibilities for making gifts:
- The simplest of these is the outright gift of specified funds or property. When an estate seems likely to exceed the requirements needed for family security, and the donor has a definite idea of the provision to be made for the NASW Foundation, a specific bequest may be well advised.
- A bequest to the NASW Foundation of property not readily saleable usually results in a reduction of the taxable portion of an estate. Real estate, royalties from patents and copyrights, art objects, rare books, and securities all lend themselves to gifts by bequest.
- The ultimate determination of whether to retain or sell property bequeathed to the NASW Foundation should be left to the NASW Foundation’s discretion to assure long-range usefulness.
- Some donors prefer to provide for a charitable bequest on a residual basis, after specifying direct bequests which do not exhaust the full estate. In such a case, the NASW Foundation can be named as a residual beneficiary to receive whatever is left over, or some fractional amount of the remainder. A bequest of this type adjusts itself automatically to the size of the estate.
Various combinations of provisions similar to those described in this Planned Giving section may apply to a donor's circumstances. A trust counselor or other financial advisor can help in estate planning, but wills should be drawn or modified only by an attorney. The NASW Foundation does not render financial or legal advice, but staff members are available to consult with a donor and advisors to assure that a gift will provide the greatest possible satisfaction and do the NASW Foundation the greatest possible good.