Naming the Foundation in your will or trust is simple. A charitable bequest can be for a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or what remains after other bequests - including those to family members - are made. Or your will or trust can specify that your heirs receive lifetime income from your estate, with the remainder going to the Foundation for charitable purposes.

Retirement fund assets from qualified plans or IRAs are ideal for charitable giving purposes because these assets are most heavily taxed. They offer an opportunity to avoid income and estate tax while giving a significant gift.

Charitable remainder trusts appeal to donors with appreciated assets such as real estate or securities. They allow you to receive income (or provide income to another person) with the knowledge that the funds remaining when the trust terminates will be used to support your charitable interests. (The Foundation also can assist with charitable lead trusts which support your charitable interests now, leaving remaining trust assets to you or your heirs.)

Charitable gift annuities are a contract between you and the Foundation, guaranteeing you or someone you name a certain fixed income for life. At the death of the last annuity recipient, assets will be used by the Foundation as you originally specified.

Life insurance can be used as a charitable asset, enabling you to be eligible for a charitable tax deduction based on the current value of the paid-up policy. Or you can simply name the Foundation as beneficiary of part or all of the insurance proceeds.