Testamentary giving: 3 steps to leaving a legacy beyond your lifetime

Did you know your charitable giving can continue for generations to come? Naming your Giving Fund at the National Christian Foundation (NCF) as the beneficiary of all or a portion of your estate – through a will, trust, retirement plan, or simple beneficiary designations – is a strategic way to give beyond your lifetime.

Testamentary charitable giving allows you to continue funding your giving goals through your Giving Fund at NCF, while also potentially reducing your income and estate-tax burden. After your estate is settled and proceeds are available in your fund, grants may be distributed to your favorite charities – or to separate funds for your family members – based on a succession plan you create from the legacy page in your Giving Fund. You can easily update your succession plan as often as you wish, without going through the costly expense of amending your legal documents.

Here’s how you can get started:

1. Name your Giving Fund in your estate documents
   If you and your advisor determine that testamentary charitable giving is appropriate for your financial and philanthropic planning, name your Giving Fund in your estate documents by adding one simple paragraph.opens in a new tab
   
2. Notify NCF of your plans
   Contact your NCF teamopens in a new tab and provide a copy of the specific estate document that names your Giving Fund as a beneficiary. When NCF is notified of your passing, we’ll work with your legal or tax advisors to ensure that testamentary gifts are distributed to your Giving Fund at NCF.
   Disclaimer-funded DAF option
   With this creative strategy, your estate beneficiaries (children, grandchildren, etc.) may choose to disclaim some or all of their inheritances within nine months of your death, in which case the money goes to their Giving Funds at NCF. To the extent that a beneficiary exercises this disclaimer, the value of the property disclaimed may not be subject to income or estate taxes.
   
3. Create a succession plan
   A succession plan guides NCF in distributing the balance in your fund after your lifetime, and it’s an important part of faithfully stewarding all the resources God has entrusted to you. In your plan, you can name successors, charities, or NCF’s ministry to receive distributions or grants from the fund balance. Just log in to your fund and click on the Legacy tabopens in a new tab to learn about a succession plan and create one yourself.

Creating a charitable legacy doesn’t have to be complicated. NCF can come alongside you to ensure your generosity continues to make a difference for years to come. Contact your NCF teamopens in a new tab today to start building your lasting legacy of generosity that will impact future generations.

*NCF strongly encourages you to consult with your attorney, financial advisor, insurance agent and/or tax advisor to review and approve this complimentary educational information, which in no way constitutes legal advice. It is intended to be broadly educational in nature with reference to information you have shared concerning your situation.

NCF

We know you want to be a good steward of all God has entrusted to you. That’s why we come alongside you with shared biblical values, innovative charitable solutions, and highly personalized service so you can give more strategically and with greater purpose. Since 1982, generous givers at NCF have mobilized more than $25 billion for 100,000+ churches, ministries, and charities.

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