Charitable Bequests and Beneficiary Designations

Why a Charitable Bequest may be Right for You

SAWs exists today because of ordinary people showing extraordinary generosity by donating during their lifetime and also leaving legacy gifts to SAWs in their wills and estate plans. We adhere to our donor’s instructions and promise to fulfill them at the highest level of integrity. Together we have the power to transform the lives of our clients by providing safe means to enter and exit their home and reconnect with their community.

Bequests (simplest form of charitable giving)

You can make a provision in your will, living trust, revocable or charitable trust for a gift to SAWs to be added to the Servants at Work Endowment Fund or for the unrestricted use of SAWs. Unrestricted use allows SAWs to respond to the changing needs and opportunities over time as no one knows what issues will face the poor a generation or two from now.

Your gift can be for a stated dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the entire residuary after all debts, taxes, expenses, and other bequests have been paid from your estate).

To make a charitable bequest within a will, a sample language would be:

“I do hereby give and bequeath the sum of $_____________ OR give, devise, and bequeath _________percent of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate) to Servants at Work, Inc., SAWs) an Indiana not-for-profit corporation and Internal Revenue Code Section 501c)3) public charity, to hold, manage, invest, and reinvest the same, collect the income therefrom, and disburse the same for its general charitable purposes

      • to be added to the Servants at Work Endowment Fund, in accordance with the policies of Servants at Work, Inc.” OR
      • to benefit Servants at Work, Inc. serving _________________ County, Indiana.”

Other Ways to Make a Lasting Gift 

Many of the accounts or policies you own provide you with an opportunity to designate a charitable beneficiary to receive that asset, or a percentage of the asset, at your passing or at the termination of the policy. A simple way to make a significant gift is to designate SAWs as a full or partial beneficiary on a “change in beneficiary” or “transfer on death” form.

Examples of these are:

  • Life insurance policy
  • IRA or qualified retirement plan
  • Bank account
  • Brokerage account

Recognizing You as a Community Visionary

If you have made such a provision, please notify us and consider becoming a Legacy Society member. In addition to our unwavering gratitude, members receive the following benefits and acknowledgements:

  • Recognition in SAWs annual report, on its website and other materials where planned gifts are acknowledged (unless you request to remain anonymous)
  • Invitations to special events
  • Opportunities to engage with similar-minded donors and community leaders

Next Steps

We know you are making careful plans to ensure that your assets are distributed in the manner in which you choose through your estate. Having SAWs as the steward of your designated gift and guardian of your intentions will provide you with the confidence that your wishes will be honored in perpetuity.

Ask your legal or tax adviser if a charitable bequest is right for you.

To talk with us about creating a future gift that will ensure fulfillment of your charitable goals, notify us of your charitable bequest and/or designation, request more information and appropriate language to be used in your estate plans or to become a member of our Legacy Society, please contact: Tim Thurston, at tthurston@sawsramps.org.