Planned Giving – Leaving a Legacy

Thank you for your interest in leaving a legacy of compassion for animals in need! Bequests from generous friends like you will make a real difference in the lives of the homeless cats and dogs for many generations to come.

Bequests to Cascades Humane Society offer flexibility and are fully deductible for estate tax purposes.  Depending on your situation, these savings can be significant. Bequests can be of any size, and all are greatly appreciated!

You may bequeath a percentage of your estate to CHS, a dollar amount, a specific asset, or the remainder of your estate after bequests to other named beneficiaries. You may also name Cascades Humane Society as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. While many types of assets are appropriate for funding a bequest, individual retirement accounts are particularly appealing for these contributions. By designating Cascades Humane Society as the beneficiary of an IRA, you will avoid both income tax and estate tax on these assets.

We encourage unrestricted bequests because it is difficult to predict where the program needs for the animals will be greatest in the future. However, if you wish to support a particular aspect of the mission of Cascades Humane Society we would be happy to work with you and your attorney on language to restrict your bequest to a particular program or purpose. You may also make a bequest to CHS that specifies either general operating expenses or the endowment fund. A gift to the Cascades Humane Society endowment fund ensures that your bequest will provide a lasting legacy.

Regardless of what form your gift takes, your attorney or insurance agent should refer to us as “Cascades Humane Society” in Jackson, Michigan when drafting your will, trust, or policy. Our tax id number is 38-1781494.

We like to recognize friends who have included Cascades Humane Society in their estate planning. If you proceed with a bequest to Cascades Humane Society we would like to honor you as a member of the Legacy Society. If you have already or are planning on including CHS in your planned giving, please let us know (hleszczynski@chspets.org) so we can thank you and include you in our Legacy of Love Society.

Financial planners and estate attorneys would be able to assist you further in setting up your bequest. If you don’t already have a financial planner or an estate attorney, I would be happy to provide some suggestions.

Thank you again for your interest in leaving a legacy of support for the animals through Cascades Humane Society!