Planned Giving

Retirement Account Assets

If you die with retirement plan assets in your estate, those assets are subject to income taxes that may dramatically reduce the amount that would otherwise pass to your beneficiaries. Instead, consider designating Valley of the Sun United Way as a beneficiary of your retirement accounts. Because we are a nonprofit organization, Valley of the Sun United Way is able to take a tax-free withdrawal of retirement assets, allowing us to use their full value to advance our important work.

Life Insurance Policies

Most people think of life insurance as protection, particularly for loved ones. But life insurance is also a powerful charitable tool that can be used to champion our work far into the future. By designating Valley of the Sun United Way as a beneficiary on your life insurance policy, you are able to create a charitable legacy without invading cash and other assets designated for your heirs.

Securities

By making a gift of appreciated securities, you may be able to avoid paying the capital gains tax that would otherwise be due at the sale of those securities, and may also receive a charitable income tax deduction at the time of the gift. Because securities enjoy favorable capital gains treatment, they often provide greater tax benefits than a cash gift of equivalent value, particularly if they have a low cost basis.

Charitable Trusts

Under the right set of circumstances, a Charitable Trust may enhance your income, minimize taxes, unlock appreciated investments and ultimately provide Valley of the Sun United Way with a significant charitable gift. Although Trusts are complex legal instruments that require competent advice and careful consideration, many donors realize optimal estate planning by establishing a Charitable Trust.

Charitable Bequests

Gifts made through Wills and Trusts have become the foundation of the American philanthropic tradition. Indeed, the overwhelming majority of planned gifts are the result of bequests, commonly known as planned or “legacy” gifts. If you have considered making a gift to Valley of the Sun United Way but aren't ready to relinquish your assets today, consider leaving us a legacy gift. A simple provision in your Will or Trust may enable you to make significant contributions not otherwise possible during your lifetime.

Although you should carefully review the terms of your Will with an appropriate professional advisor, we are happy to provide the following Sample Bequest Language:

Sample bequest language:

I give, devise and bequeath to Valley of the Sun United Way, 3200 E Camelback Rd, Suite 375, Phoenix, AZ 85018, the sum of $____________ /or ___ % of my estate/or the following specific asset ____________________________ for the benefit of Valley of the Sun United Way and its general purposes/or to be added to its endowment.

Create your Last Will & Testament, 100% free

Making or updating your Will is easier than you might imagine. Valley of the Sun United Way has partnered with FreeWill.com to give you a free, intuitive way to write your Will. By including a gift to Valley of the Sun United Way in your Will, you help ensure that we are able to break the cycle of poverty for everyone in our community for generations to come.

This tool is free to you whether or not you choose to include a gift to us, and can be used to create your full legal Will in about 20 minutes.

Visit www.FreeWill.com/UnitedWay to create your FreeWill today.