Make An Estate Gift
A unique and precious treasure
The spiritual insights and testimonies of the Religious Society of Friends are a unique and precious treasure. If you value this treasure and want to perpetuate it and the Meeting community for future generations, please consider including Providence Monthly Meeting in your estate plans through a bequest provision in your Will or revocable trust.
Types of bequests
You can give almost any kind of asset to the Meeting through a bequest, including cash, securities, real estate, business interests, tangible personal property (such as works of art or antiques), or the remainder of an IRA or other retirement plan. You can give a specific asset, a specific dollar amount, or a percentage of your estate. Ask your attorney about the best options for you.
Benefits to you
- A bequest is an easy, low-cost way to make sure that the things you care about are provided for in the future.
- A bequest allows you to make a significant commitment to the Meeting during your lifetime without affecting your current income or needs.
- A bequest can be left unrestricted or you can designate it to the specific purpose of your choice.
- A bequest can be modified if your circumstances change.
- A bequest can generate a federal estate tax deduction, and there is no limit on the deduction your estate can take. In addition, charitable bequests are generally not subject to state inheritance taxes.
Benefits to the Meeting
- Each individual bequest builds the Meeting's endowment and endowment builds our long-term strength and security.
How to make a bequest
A bequest to Providence Monthly Meeting can be made when you create a new will, or by revising or adding a codicil to your existing will. You can also name the Meeting in a revocable trust. Ask your attorney for the best option for you. If you include the Meeting in your estate plans, please inform the Clerk of the type and amount of your commitment so that it may be considered in the Meeting's plans for the future. Your notification will be kept in the strictest confidence. The Clerk or Treasurer may report bequest intentions to the Meeting anonymously or in the aggregate for planning purposes.
Sample bequest language
The following sample language can be tailored to your interests. Be sure to consult your attorney for assistance in making a bequest.
Unrestricted bequest
"I give (_______ dollars) (a specific asset) or (___percent of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate) to Providence Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, a non-profit corporation located in Media, Pennsylvania, for its general purposes."
Bequest for a specific purpose
"I give (______dollars) (a specific asset) or (___percent of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate) to Providence Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, a non-profit corporation located in Media, Pennsylvania, to be used for (state the purpose). If, in the future, it is the opinion of the Trustees of Providence Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends that all or part of the income of this fund cannot be usefully applied to such purpose, it may be used for any related purpose which, in the sole opinion of the Trustees, will most nearly accomplish my wishes.”
IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you wish to restrict your bequest to a specific purpose or program, please contact the Clerk of the Meeting to make sure that your gift can be used exactly as you intend.
Other ways to make a planned gift
There are many ways to make a planned or estate gift to the Meeting, including various arrangements that provide income for life or a term of years, or gifts of real estate, insurance, business interests or residual retirement assets. Many of these approaches involve substantial tax and other benefits. There are experts in the Meeting who can help you identify the way that is best for you.
The 1684 Society
Named in honor of the founding date of Providence Meeting, The 1684 Society is comprised of all those Friends who have included the Meeting in their estate plans. Unless otherwise directed, all such commitments go to the Meeting's endowment. Allowing the Meeting to list your name as part of this society encourages others to consider making this important commitment as well. Nothing is disclosed about the nature, type or amount of your commitment. Of course, requests for anonymity are respected.
For more information about bequests, life-income gifts or other planned gifts, please contact the Clerk of the Meeting or the President of the Trustees.