Your values, carried forward
A planned gift lets you support the causes you care about as part of your financial or estate plans. You do not need great wealth to leave a legacy, only a plan. We will help you and your advisors find the approach that fits, and make sure your wishes are honored for generations.
Ways to make a planned gift
Some gifts cost nothing today, and some provide income or tax benefits during your lifetime.
A gift in your will or trust
Name the Community Foundation in your will or trust for a specific amount, a particular asset, or a percentage of what remains of your estate. You keep full use of your assets during your lifetime and can change your plans at any time.
Retirement accounts
Name a fund at the Community Foundation as a beneficiary of your IRA or other retirement plan. Because heirs may owe income tax on retirement assets, leaving these to charity and other assets to family can stretch your estate further.
If you are 70½ or older, you can also give from your IRA today through a qualified charitable distribution. QCDs can go to many of our funds, but not to donor advised funds.
Life insurance
Name the Community Foundation as a beneficiary of a policy, or transfer ownership of a policy you no longer need to create or grow a fund.
Charitable remainder trusts
A charitable remainder trust pays income to you or your loved ones for life or for a set term of up to 20 years. When the term ends, the remaining assets go to the Community Foundation, to a fund you already have or to create a new one.
Charitable lead trusts
A charitable lead trust makes payments to your fund for a set period, after which the remaining assets go to your family, often with gift and estate tax savings.
Real estate and other property
A bequest of real estate, business interests or other property can create or grow a fund. You can even give your home while continuing to live in it, through a retained life estate. Talk with us early so we can review the asset with you.
Ways to make a planned gift
Some gifts cost nothing today, and some provide income or tax benefits during your lifetime.
Create a fund for the future
Establish a fund that begins giving after your lifetime, supporting the causes you choose, in your name or a loved one's.
Grow an existing fund
Add to your donor advised fund or another fund, and name successor advisors so your family can carry on your giving.
Support our region's priorities
Leave a gift to our Community Impact Fund, which responds to the most pressing needs as they change, or to another issue-based fund focusing on areas like housing, education, or health.
A LEGACY IN ACTION
"It's imperative to me to make a difference with the life I have."
A 2025 cohort participant
Building a legacy through education
To honor his parents, Edgar worked with his financial planner and our team to create a bequest fund. After his lifetime, it will become a scholarship for Richmond-area students headed to community college or a trade, like his father before him.
Make it easy for your attorney
Your attorney or financial advisor can use this language to include the Community Foundation in your will, trust, or beneficiary designations. We are glad to review draft language and work alongside your advisors.
Once your plans are in place, a simple Declaration of Intent lets us know your wishes so we can carry them out as you intend. It is not a legal obligation, and you can change it at any time.
Download sample bequest language →
SAMPLE BEQUEST LANGUAGE
"[% or $] to the Community Foundation, inc. (EIN 23-7009135) for the benefit of [NAMED FUND]."
For a retirement account or life insurance policy, list the Community Foundation, Inc. (EIN 23-7009135) and your fund's name on the beneficiary form.
Already included us in your plans? Thank you. Let us know with a simple Declaration of Intent, so we can honor your wishes and get to know the legacy you hope to leave.
Complete a Declaration of Intent →
Are you a professional advisor? See how we can partner with attorneys, CPAs, and wealth advisors on your clients' charitable plans.
For professional advisors →
Talk with us about your legacy
There is no obligation. We are glad to meet with you, your family, or you your advisors to explore your options.
Connect with our team
Tell us what you need or if you wish to receive more information, and we will route your message to the right person.