Gift Planning


Planning for your future…and ours

Whether you’ve spent years carefully planning your estate or you’re just starting to think about writing your will, we hope you will consider making a gift to Episcopal Charities part of your legacy.

Include A Gift To ECCS In Your Will

It is a simple process to include charitable gifts in your will.  Through a gift to Episcopal Charities and Community Services in your will, you will help create a personal legacy of compassion for those served by our own programs and the work of our partner agencies.

To give a percentage of your residual estate (the amount remaining after providing for your heirs and other obligations), include this wording in your will:

“I hereby bequeath to Episcopal Charities and Community Services, presently located at 65 E. Huron, Chicago, Illinois, ____% of the residue of my estate to be used at the discretion of its governing board.”

Or, to give a specific amount in support of Episcopal Charities’ work, include this wording:

“I hereby bequeath to Episcopal Charities and Community Services, presently located at 65 E. Huron, Chicago, Illinois, the sum of $_______ from the residue of my estate to be used at the discretion of its governing board.”

Please contact Otto Reinisch [312.751.3574] should you have any questions about preparing your will or for more ideas about how estate planning can help you create a meaningful legacy.

Make A Gift To ECCS From Your Assets

Gifts of Life Insurance: By naming Episcopal Charities and Community Services as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or by donating a paid-up life insurance policy to ECCS you can make a significant gift while enjoying immediate financial benefits.

To make a gift of life insurance to Episcopal Charities and Community Services:
  • Name ECCS as either a primary or secondary beneficiary in your life insurance policy. Your insurance agent will help complete this simple step but, please, don’t forget to let us know so we can acknowledge your generosity.
  • Give ECCS your already-paid-up life insurance policy and receive an immediate tax deduction for an asset you many no longer need.
  • Have ECCS act as the owner and manager of a life insurance policy in which you’ve named Episcopal Charities the beneficiary.

Make A Gift Of Your Retirement Assets

Your retirement assets pass to your children, grandchildren, or other beneficiaries only after being subjected to estate and income taxes that may exceed 70% of the asset’s value.  Gifts to Episcopal Charities and Community Services made from your investment in a retirement plan will provide significant support of this important work while helping minimize estate taxes.

Your retirement plan might be an IRA, a 401(k), a 403(b), a TIAA CREF account, a profit-sharing plan, or another plan your employer established for you.  Please check with your plan administrator for help in using your retirement assets to make a gift to Episcopal Charities.

Closing Thoughts on Estate Planning…

Planned gifts - like those described on this page - make it possible for ECCS to bring a life-changing message of hope to scores of women, men, children, and families across northern Illinois.  We work hard to earn your confidence in Episcopal Charities and hope that you will consider such a gift to ECCS.

If you have included a gift to Episcopal Charities and Community Services in your will, thank you!  Please let us know of your generosity, just as many of our friends already have.  It will be our privilege to keep you apprised of the work you help make possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am considering making a significant gift of appreciated stock.  Can I still deduct the entire amount this year?

The full fair-market value of gifts of long-term appreciated property is deductible up to 30% of a donor’s adjusted gross income (AGI).  Any amount over 30% of AGI can be carried forward up to five years.

Are there special considerations if I make a gift using securities that have declined in value?

It may be more advantageous to you to sell these securities first, declare an investment loss for income tax purposes, and then donate the proceeds to ECCS.  As always, consult with a tax advisor for answers that take into consideration your personal circumstances.

Can I make a gift to Episcopal Charities using mutual fund shares?

Yes, but please contact our Development Office regarding the gift of mutual fund shares because there are additional procedures required to complete this gift.