Our desire is to help simplify the process of leaving a legacy gift, so the information on this page is intended to give you a starting point. It should not be construed as legal advice.
Charitable Bequests: A charitable bequest is simply a distribution from your estate to a charitable organization through your last will and testament. There are different kinds of bequests. For each, you must use very specific language to indicate the precise direction of your assets, and to successfully carry out your final wishes.
General Bequests
Legacies left to certain people or causes that come from the general value of the estate, and are made by designating a specific dollar amount, a particular asset or a fixed percentage of your estate to the cause of your choice.
General Bequest Language:
“I give, devise, and bequeath to Generosity Children’s Foundation/ 122 Cornerstone St, Lynchburg, VA 24502, the sum of $________(or a description of the specific asset), for the benefit of Generosity Children’s Foundation and its general purposes.”
Residuary Bequests
Made when you intend to leave the residue portion of your assets after other terms of the will have been satisfied.
Residuary Bequest Language:
“All the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, I give to Generosity Children’s Foundation/ 122 Cornerstone St, Lynchburg, VA 24502,, for its general purposes.”
Contingency Bequests
Allows you to leave a portion of your estate to a particular charity if your named beneficiary does not survive you.
Contingency Bequest Language:
“I devise and bequeath the residue of the property, real and personal and wherever situated, owned by me at my death, to (name of beneficiary), if (she/he) survives me. If (name of beneficiary) does not survive me, I devise and bequeath my residuary estate to Generosity Children’s Foundation, 122 Cornerstone St, Lynchburg, VA 24502, for its general purposes.”
