Charitable Bequest
A flexible way to make a future gift for gospel ministry.
A charitable bequest is a gift to Cru ministries through your will, living trust, or beneficiary designation. For many Christian donors, it is one of the simplest ways to include generosity in an estate plan while continuing to use and steward assets during life.
You may designate a charitable bequest for a specific Cru ministry, missionary, or purpose. You can also allow the gift to be used where ministry needs are greatest at the time it is received. Either way, a charitable bequest can help your estate plan reflect the kingdom values that have shaped your life.
Common ways to make a future gift include:
Including a bequest to Cru in your will or revocable trust.
Designating Cru as a full, partial or contingent beneficiary of a retirement account, such as an IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or pension.
Naming Cru as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, investment account or bank account.
Unlike charitable gifts made during life, a bequest is a future gift. You arrange it now through your will, trust or beneficiary designation, and Cru receives it when your estate is settled or the account is distributed.
This is one reason a charitable bequest is often an accessible place to begin. You do not need to transfer assets today, and you retain use and control of your property during life. You can also update your estate documents or beneficiary designations if your circumstances change.
A charitable bequest may be structured in several ways. You can give a specific dollar amount, a specific asset, a percentage of your estate, the remaining balance after other gifts are made or a contingent gift that takes effect only under certain conditions. These options allow a gift in your will or trust to reflect both your family responsibilities and your desire to support gospel ministry.
A charitable bequest in a will or trust may also have estate tax implications. Because each situation is different, it is important to discuss your plans with your attorney, tax professional or financial advisor.
Others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else..
- 2 Corinthians 9:13, NIV
Choose Your Path
Types of Bequests
Specific Bequest
A specific bequest is a gift of a particular asset or a specific dollar amount. For example, you may choose to leave a home, another piece of property or a stated amount, such as $10,000, to Cru.
Percentage Bequest
A percentage bequest leaves a stated percentage of your estate to charity. For example, you may choose to leave 10% of your estate to Cru.
Residual Bequest
A residual bequest is made from what remains after other specific gifts, expenses and obligations have been addressed. For example, you may choose to leave 30% of the residue of your estate to Cru.
Contingent Bequest
A contingent bequest takes effect only if another bequest cannot be fulfilled. For example, you may leave property to a family member, while stating that if the family member is unable to receive it, the property will go to Cru.
A charitable bequest may fit Christian donors at a particular point in their stewardship journey.
The donors who find a charitable bequest most useful share a few characteristics:
- You want to make a meaningful gift to ministry but need full use of your assets during your lifetime. A bequest lets you commit to a future gift today without giving anything up now.
- You have a will, trust, or estate plan in place — or are about to create one. Adding a bequest is a simple line item in documents your attorney is already drafting.
- You want to leave a legacy beyond your lifetime. A bequest puts your kingdom values into your estate plan in a way your family and Cru can act on after you're gone.
- You're not sure how much you can give yet. Percentage and residual bequests let you commit a portion of your estate without a specific dollar amount, allowing the gift to adjust naturally as your estate grows or shrinks.
If any of those describe your situation, it may be worth exploring whether a charitable bequest fits your plans.
Charitable Bequest Benefits
One benefit of a charitable bequest is that it allows you to continue using your property during life while arranging a future gift through your estate plan. The gift takes effect later, according to the terms of your will, trust or beneficiary designation.
A charitable bequest can also help communicate what has mattered most to you. It can reflect your love for family, your trust in God’s provision and your desire to see the gospel continue advancing through ministries you care about.
In some situations, a charitable bequest may also reduce the size of a taxable estate through an estate tax charitable deduction. Because tax outcomes depend on your specific situation, please review this with your professional advisor.
If you are considering making an outright bequest to Cru, we recommend the following language:
Bequest of a Specific Dollar Amount
I hereby give, devise and bequeath _________ and No/100 dollars ($DOLLARS) to Cru, a nonprofit organization located at 100 Lake Hart Drive, Orlando, FL, 32832, Federal Tax ID #95-6006173, for Cru’s general use and purpose.
Bequest of Specific Personal Property
I hereby give, devise and bequeath DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to Cru, a nonprofit organization located at 100 Lake Hart Drive, Orlando, FL, 32832, Federal Tax ID #95-6006173, for Cru’s general use and purpose.
Bequest of Specific Real Estate
I hereby give, devise and bequeath all of the right, title and interest in and to the real estate located at ADDRESS OR DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to Cru, a nonprofit organization located at 100 Lake Hart Drive, Orlando, FL, 32832, Federal Tax ID #95-6006173, for Cru’s general use and purpose.
If you are considering making a bequest of a percentage of your estate to Cru, we recommend the following language:
I hereby give, devise and bequeath ____ percent (___%) of my total estate, determined as of the date of my death, to Cru, a nonprofit organization located at 100 Lake Hart Drive, Orlando, FL, 32832, Federal Tax ID #95-6006173, for Cru’s general use and purpose.
I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Cru, a nonprofit organization located at 100 Lake Hart Drive, Orlando, FL, 32832, Federal Tax ID #95-6006173, ALL OR A PERCENTAGE of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to be used for Cru’s general use and purpose.
If (primary beneficiary) does not survive me, then I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Cru, a nonprofit organization located at 100 Lake Hart Drive, Orlando, FL, 32832, Federal Tax ID #95-6006173, DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to be used for Cru’s general use and purpose.
Restricted Bequests
If you are considering a bequest and would like to ensure that your bequest will be used for a specific purpose, please use the Declaration of Intent to memorialize your intent for our records. We would be happy to work with you and your attorney to help you identify ways to give and meet your ministry objectives. We will also work with you and your attorney to craft language to accomplish your goals.
If you are making a restricted bequest, we recommend that your attorney include the following provision to give Cru flexibility should it no longer be possible for Cru to use your gift as you originally intended:
If, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of Cru, it shall become impossible for Cru to use this bequest to accomplish the specific purposes of this bequest, Cru may use the income and principal of this gift for such purpose or purposes as the Board determines is most closely related to the restricted purpose of my bequest.
Contact Us
Cru Foundation administrates estate and beneficiary gifts on behalf of all Cru ministries and missionaries.
If you have included a Cru ministry or missionary in your will, trust, or as a beneficiary, THANK YOU! Please use the Declaration of Intent Form to share the details and allocate your gift according to your desires.
Or reach out for additional information as you consider making a bequest!
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* The content on this page is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Please consult with qualified professional advisors regarding your specific situation before making any giving or planning decisions.