The United Way's planned giving initiative is based on the belief that we can meet the desires of philanthropic leaders who have the vision, compassion and commitment to take steps now which will ensure the long-term well being of our community. The following types of planned giving methods may be tailored to meet your philanthropic interests.

Outright Gifts

Outright Gifts are gifts of cash, stock, real estate or other assets. You may make an outright gift of cash, stocks, real estate or other assets to the foundation and realize an immediate income tax deduction. This donation is excluded from your estate for estate tax purposes. You may receive favorable tax benefits by making a gift of appreciated securities or other property.

If you want to leave something to charity and you have savings bonds, you may wish to consider a strategy with your estate lawyer and financial advisor for doing so. Click Here for more information on using stocks and securities as gifts.

Simple Bequest

You may add a simple codicil to your will to provide a bequest to the foundation. We recommend that you consult your financial and tax planner. While unrestricted bequests allow the foundation the greatest flexibility to meet ever-changing community needs, you may decide to restrict your request in order to perpetuate your gift to the United Way of Meriden and Wallingford’s Annual Campaign or support an agency, a program or a field of interest of your choice.

Philanthropic Fund

A Philanthropic Fund is a donor-advised fund comprised of gifts of cash, securities or other assets.  You may establish a philanthropic fund to be maintained as a component of the foundation. This can be done by a gift of cash, securities, real estate or personal property. You have the privilege of recommending distribution to qualified charities subject to the approval of the foundation's trustees. You may designate the name of this fund.

Life Income Plans:

Charitable Remainder Trusts:  You may establish a fund in your name or that of your family by setting up one of several types of Charitable Remainder Trusts. This enables you to set aside an asset and continue to receive income from the asset during your lifetime (and/or during the lifetime of additional beneficiaries.) Upon termination of the trust, the remaining assets revert to the foundation.

Charitable Lead Trust:  You may establish a Charitable Lead Trust to continue to the foundation and also retain assets for yourself or transfer them to others. Trust income is paid to the foundation for a period of years, which you determine when you establish the trust. After that period of time, the assets revert to you, your spouse, children or grandchildren.

You may wish to make a gift of new or existing Life Insurance Policy to the foundation. Donations of life insurance policies may have favorable tax or income tax benefits.