Bequest Language
Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK, Inc.)
Every individual has value and the right to be treated with dignity. As a DSNWK family, we are dedicated to the dignity, value, and worth of each person. To ensure that we can help enrich individual, family, and community life, we provide a comprehensive array of support services intended to empower individuals to make choices in their lives and provide opportunities that enrich their quality of life. These actions not only have a direct impact on the persons served and their families, but they also have an impact on the communities we serve. To meet this mission adequately requires financial support and partnerships with communities, leaders, sponsors, and supporters of our mission, goals, and philosophy.
To build long-term stability in our programs, while also recognizing the shrinking availability of federal and state funds to support our mission, DSNWK is establishing a planned giving program to allow individuals and organizations to contribute to our efforts through bequests. Establishing this planned giving program and building financial strength through bequests is the next step to ensuring DSNWK's enduring capability to serve our rural population. This new endeavor is a long-term strategy for DSNWK that will require development as we move forward. It is important to note that DSNWK is a non-profit 501c(3) with nearly half a century of providing services and supports to families and persons with disabilities in Northwest Kansas. You must know that your great work in helping fulfill our life-enriching mission is something we believe others will support also. We look forward to partnering with you and other supporters in building on the DSNWK legacy of enriching lives, empowering individuals, and supporting families and communities in Northwest Kansas.
To proceed in this planned giving endeavor for DSNWK, we will be establishing the foundation for bequests, developing the tools and fundamentals, and then building momentum from there. Simply put, a bequest is a gift made to charity in your will or trust. It is normally a gift of property, real estate, or investments and can be given wholly or partially to a charity. One of the significant benefits of making a gift to DSNWK by bequest is that it allows you to continue to use your property during your lifetime and yet leave it to charity after. It is a simple, yet a powerful, way to leave a lasting legacy of support in your name to those who need it.
Types of Bequests
There are a number of ways you can make a bequest to DSNWK. You can leave what is called a specific bequest. A specific bequest involves making a gift of a specific asset such as real estate, a car, other property or a gift for a specific dollar amount. For example, you may wish to leave your home or a financial gift to DSNWK. Another kind of specific bequest involves leaving a specific percentage of your overall estate to charity. For example, you may wish to leave 10% of your estate to DSNWK, Inc.
Another kind of bequest is called a residual bequest. A residual bequest is a bequest that is made from the balance of an estate after the will or trust has given away each of the specific bequests or inheritances. A common residual bequest involves leaving a percentage of the residual or remainder of the estate to charity. For example, you may wish to leave a percentage such as 30% of the residual or remainder of your estate to DSNWK.
Bequest Benefits
There are no limitations on bequest gifts. Bequests may be made for a general or specific purpose. All bequests are exempt from federal estate taxes. If you have a taxable estate, the estate tax charitable deduction may offset or eliminate estate taxes resulting in a larger inheritance for your heirs.
Bequest Language
In order to make a bequest, you should speak with your attorney. Your attorney can help you include a bequest to DSNWK, Inc. in your estate plan. We have provided some basic bequest language to assist you and your attorney.
1. Outright Bequest
If you are considering making an outright bequest to DSNWK, we recommend the following language:
Bequest of a Specific Dollar Amount
I hereby, give, devise and bequeath $DOLLARS to Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Inc. (DSNWK, Inc.), a non-profit organization located at 2703 Hall Street, Suite 10, Hays, Kansas, 67601, Federal Tax ID # 48-0757621, for DSNWK, Inc.'s general use and purpose.
Bequest of Specific Personal Property
I hereby, give, devise and bequeath DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Inc. (DSNWK, Inc.), a non-profit organization located at 2703 Hall Street, Suite 10, Hays, Kansas, 67601, Federal Tax ID # 48-0757621, for DSNWK, Inc.'s general use and purposes.
Bequest of Specific Real Estate
I hereby give, devise and bequeath all of the right, title and interest in and to the real estate located at ADDRESS OR LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Inc. (DSNWK, Inc.), a non-profit organization located at 2703 Hall Street, Suite 10, Hays, Kansas, 67601, Federal Tax ID # 48-0757621, for DSNWK's general use and purposes.
2. Restricted Bequest
If you are considering a bequest but would like to ensure that your bequest will be used only for a specific purpose, please let us know. We would be happy to work with you and your attorney to help you identify ways to give that will ensure your charitable objectives can be met. We will also work with you and your attorney to craft language to accomplish your objectives.
In cases where donors are making a restricted bequest, we recommend that your attorney include the following provision to give DSNWK flexibility should it no longer be possible for our organization to use your gift as you originally intended:
If, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of DSNWK, Inc., it shall become impossible for DSNWK, Inc. to use this bequest to accomplish the specific purposes of this bequest, DSNWK, Inc. may use the income and principal of this gift for such purpose or purposes as the Board determines is most closely related to the restricted purpose of my bequest.
Contact Us
Please contact us if you have any questions about how to make a bequest to Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Inc. (DSNWK, Inc.) or to request any additional information that might be helpful to you and your attorney as you consider making a bequest to us.