Did you know there are many options for financially supporting the Epilepsy Foundation Eastern Pennsylvania beyond writing just a check?  Planned gifts are the ultimate expression of your commitment and caring – an opportunity to invest in the shared vision of a world without epilepsy, where no one suffers seizures and everyone can enjoy the freedom to participate fully in life.

The goal of planned giving is to combine your philanthropic goals with your estate planning objectives, while offering financial benefits such as tax breaks and greater security for your earned dollars.

A variety of assets and investment vehicles qualify as planned gifts, each offering unique benefits for you. Be sure to consult your legal and financial advisors to select the option that best meets your financial planning objectives. Your planned gift gives you a special connection with the Epilepsy Foundation Eastern Pennsylvania. You will help those touched by epilepsy—for now and for years to come.

Planned Giving Considerations

To achieve your personal charitable giving and financial goals, while empowering the EFEPA to continue its mission to lead the fight to stop seizures, find a cure and overcome challenges created by epilepsy, you may want to consider one of the following options–or discuss other options best suited for you with your financial advisor.

  • Make the EFEPA a Beneficiary:
    • Last will and testament – A will can help your family in fulfilling your wishes when you are no longer there to help them.  You can name the EFEPA a beneficiary for either a general bequest or a specific bequest if you would like the funds used for a specific purpose.
    • Life insurance policy – There are several ways to support the EFEPA using life insurance: You can name the Foundation as a primary, secondary or partial beneficiary for an existing policy; Purchase a new policy and name the Foundation as a beneficiary; Give a paid-up whole policy you already own to the Foundation; and/or assign policy dividends to the EFEPA.
    • Retirement plan – You can help ensure a better world for people living with epilepsy (and reduce tax liability for loved ones) by naming the Foundation as a beneficiary of your 401(k), Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or other qualified retirement plan. Tax-deferred retirement plan assets can be subject to estate and income taxes, thereby reducing the value of these assets left to your children or someone other than your spouse by as much as 75 percent. Your heirs avoid this double-taxation when your gift benefits the EFEPA. Simply ask your retirement plan administrator to designate the Epilepsy Foundation Eastern Pennsylvania as sole or partial beneficiary
  • Establish a Charitable Remainder Trust: A charitable remainder trust is a type of trust that will pay you (or other beneficiaries of your choice) an income for life or for a period of years.  During that time, the trust may receive favorable income tax treatment.  At the death of the final beneficiary or at the end of the trust term, the remaining balance of the trust will go to support the EFEPA.
  • Establish a Charitable Lead Annuity Trust: The EFEPA receives a fixed dollar amount or percentage of the initial value of the trust assets for a period of years, after which the trust principal is transferred to your designated beneficiaries, possibly reducing the gift tax or estate tax that would otherwise be due.
  • Give a Gift of Stock: Giving a gift of publicly traded stock that has increased in value and that you have owned for more than one year may provide greater tax benefits than giving cash.

Click here for Sample Language for Wills and Trusts.

Please remember to consult with your financial advisor to determine the benefits of including planned giving in your estate plan.