Including the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) in your estate plans is one of the most impactful ways you can support individuals and families facing the challenges of Lewy body dementia. A planned gift allows you to make a lasting difference by advancing research, improving diagnosis and care, and ensuring no one walks this journey alone.
Planned giving is a powerful way to make a meaningful contribution that aligns with your values and legacy. Whether through your will, retirement plan, donor-advised fund, or other financial instruments, your generosity today will bring hope and support to future generations.
Popular Ways to Make a Planned Gift
Bequests in a Will or Trust
One of the most common and simplest ways to make a planned gift is by naming LBDA in your will or living trust. You can designate a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or a particular asset such as real estate, stocks, or personal property. This type of gift offers flexibility, you can make changes at any time, and it ensures your commitment to our mission continues after your lifetime. A bequest costs you nothing now but leaves an enduring legacy that will help transform the future of Lewy body dementia care and research.
Sample bequest language:
“I give to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc., a nonprofit organization located at 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Suite 105, Lilburn, GA 30047, LBDA Tax ID #05-0577683, the sum of $___ (or ___% of my estate), to be used for its general purposes.”
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a simple and flexible way to manage your charitable giving while potentially maximizing your tax benefits. DAFs are 501(c)(3) accounts administered by investment firms like Vanguard, Fidelity, or Charles Schwab as well as community foundations and independent charities. Contributions to a DAF are immediately tax-deductible, and donors can recommend grants over time to causes close to their hearts like LBDA.
Why are Donor-Advised Funds becoming so popular?
Many donors find DAFs to be a powerful tool for thoughtful giving. They allow individuals to bundle multiple years’ worth of charitable donations into one tax year, which can help maximize deductions when tax rates are higher, while still distributing gifts over time. Investment income in the fund grows tax-free, providing you with even greater charitable impact. Plus, there are no deadlines for when grants must be made.
Another significant advantage is the ability to donate appreciated securities (such as stocks). By contributing these assets directly to a DAF, you can avoid capital gains taxes while deducting the full market value of the gift a win-win for you and the causes you care about.
At LBDA, we are pleased to accept donations made through DAFs, as well as direct gifts of cash or appreciated securities.
If you already have a DAF, recommending a grant to LBDA is easy:
Simply provide our legal name (Lewy Body Dementia Association), address (912 Killian Hill Road SW, Suite 105, Lilburn, GA 30047), and EIN (05-0577683) to your sponsoring organization.
If you are considering establishing a DAF, we encourage you to speak with your financial or tax advisor to determine if this option aligns with your goals.
Retirement Plan Assets
Retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and IRAs, are often subject to income and estate taxes when passed on to loved ones. However, when you name a qualified nonprofit like LBDA as a beneficiary, those assets transfer tax-free and can be used to fuel mission-critical work. You can designate LBDA as a full or partial beneficiary on your plan’s beneficiary designation form. This option is especially tax-efficient and allows you to make a significant impact with assets that may otherwise be heavily taxed.
Life Insurance Policies
Life insurance can be a powerful and affordable way to support LBDA’s future. You may choose to name LBDA as a beneficiary on a new or existing life insurance policy or even transfer ownership of a policy you no longer need. By doing so, you can turn modest premium payments into a lasting legacy, one that continues to advance awareness, care, and research in Lewy body dementia. Your insurance provider can guide you through the simple process of updating your beneficiary designation.
Charitable Remainder Trusts
A charitable remainder trust (CRT) allows you to support LBDA while also providing income to yourself or someone you designate for life or for a set term. At the end of the trust period, the remaining assets are distributed to LBDA. This arrangement offers potential tax benefits and can be especially useful if you are donating appreciated assets like real estate or stock. A CRT allows you to receive steady income while supporting a cause that’s important to you.
Charitable Lead Trusts
With a charitable lead trust (CLT), you can make an immediate difference by providing income to LBDA for a number of years, after which the remaining assets are passed on to your heirs. This type of trust can help reduce or eliminate gift and estate taxes while allowing you to support LBDA’s mission during your lifetime. It’s a strategic option for those who want to support our work today while also preserving assets for their family’s future.
Let’s Build Your LBDA Legacy Together
We understand that making a planned gift is a deeply personal decision. Our team is here to listen, answer your questions, and help you find a giving option that works best for your goals and values. Whether you’ve already included LBDA in your plans or are just beginning to explore your options, we would love to hear from you.
If you’ve already made arrangements to include LBDA in your estate plans, please let us know so we can express our gratitude and welcome you to the LBDA Leadership Circle, a special group of extraordinary supporters committed to lasting change.
To learn more about planned giving or to let us know of your intentions, please contact:
Lena Fung, M.J.
Director of Development
Lewy Body Dementia Association
[email protected]
Main: 404.935.6444
Thank you for considering a legacy gift to LBDA. Your legacy gift will help fund research, provide essential caregiver support, and improve the lives of those affected by Lewy for generations to come. Thank you for your consideration and generosity!
