Bequests and Endowment are methods of charitable giving that enables you to express your personal values by integrating charitable and financial goals. It is simply another opportunity for generous donors such as you to make gifts, distinct from your annual contributions, to those Friends organizations whose missions you support. Bequests and Endowments are not just for the wealthy. They are the means by which ordinary people make extraordinary gifts that can help to provide for the solid financial foundation of our Friends meetings and organizations.

Bequests

Drafting a Will, no matter your level of wealth, is a key component of an estate plan. It enables you to care for your estate, family and the organizations you value beyond your lifetime. Many donors can provide more substantial gifts through a bequest than through annual contributions. As a result, bequests are often the financial foundation for organization’s major programs, building maintenance, scholarships and support to those in need. Simple language can be included to set up a bequest when you prepare a new Will or add a codicil to an existing one.

Endowments

You can also give a cash gift or leave a direct bequest to Friends Fiduciary to set up an endowment to support Friends meetings and organizations. As the donor, you can feel confident that your gift will be stewarded wisely and invested according to our socially responsible guidelines. Through your Will you can direct Friends Fiduciary to:

• Add the gift or bequest to endowment funds to benefit one or more Quaker organizations; it will be invested and income will be distributed to the organization(s) the donor names
• Add the gift or bequest to existing funds that support the ongoing work of Friends in a specific area such as education, care of the elderly, social justice or peace.
• Use the gift or bequest as we may determine to benefit Friends organizations, projects and programs.
• Use the bequest (via your Will) as designated on your gift document on file in our office. The gift document enables you to change charitable beneficiaries as interests and concerns change and evolve over the years, without the need to modify your will.

Please contact Friends Fiduciary for sample gift language for a bequest and to discuss these options in more detail.