Bequest Language
Below is language you can use to make a bequest to support Lutheran Giving's partners. A bequest allows you to continue to use the property you will leave to one of our partner ministries during your life and make a lasting impact on their work after you are gone.
1. Specific Bequest
If you are considering making an outright bequest, and are not working with Lutheran Giving, we recommend the following language:
Bequest of a Specific Dollar Amount
I hereby give, devise and bequeath _________ and No/100 dollars ($DOLLARS) to Name _________, a nonprofit organization located at Address _________, Federal Tax ID #_______________, for Name's _________ general use and purpose.
Bequest of Specific Personal Property
I hereby give, devise and bequeath DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to Name _________, a nonprofit organization located at Address _________, Federal Tax ID #_______________, for Name'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 Name _________, a nonprofit organization located at Address _________, Federal Tax ID #_______________, for Name's _________ general use and purpose.
2. Percentage Bequest
If you are considering making a bequest of a percentage of your estate to one of our partner ministries, and are not working with Lutheran Giving, 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 Name _________, a nonprofit organization located at Address _________, Federal Tax ID #_______________, for Name's _________ general use and purpose.
3. Residual Bequest
I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Name _________, a nonprofit organization located at Address _________, Federal Tax ID #_______________, ALL OR A ____% of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to be used for Name's _________ general use and purpose.
4. Contingent Bequest
If (primary beneficiary's name _________) does not survive me, then I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Name _________, a nonprofit organization located at Address _________, Federal Tax ID #_______________, DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY _________ to be used for Name's _________ general use and purpose.
5. Restricted Bequests
If you are considering a bequest but would like to ensure that your bequest will be used for a specific purpose, please reach out so that we can help you meet your charitable goals. We can also work with your attorney to craft language to accomplish your goals.
If you are making a restricted bequest without our assistance, we recommend that your attorney include the following provision to give your organization flexibility should it no longer be possible for them to use your gift as you originally intended:
If, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of _________ (Nonprofit Organization), it shall become impossible for _________ (Nonprofit Organization) to use this bequest to accomplish the specific purposes of this bequest, _________ (Nonprofit Organization) may use the income and principal of this gift for such purpose or purposes as their Board determines is most closely related to the restricted purpose of my bequest.
Contact Us
Please contact us if you have any questions about how to make a bequest to one of our partner ministries or to request any additional information that might be helpful to you and your attorney as you consider making a bequest to one of our partner ministries. If you have included a bequest for your home congregation or any of our partner organizations in your estate plan, please contact us to let us know. We would like to thank you and recognize you for your gift by including you in our Willing Witness legacy society.
