Each of us possesses the power to shape the future. In ways both large and small, we have remarkable capacity to change our own lives and the lives of those around us. Through a planned gift to Walden House, you can help shape the future and help us help thousands more people to rebuild and improve their lives. A planned gift can increase income, reduce taxes, and provide investment management. It can help donors provide for themselves while simultaneously supporting Walden House - a wonderful way to address both financial and philanthropic goals. For more information on how you can help Walden House through Planned Giving, please contact Joni Rocks at 415.355.2531 or via email at jrocks@waldenhouse.org.
Charitable Trusts
A Tax Saving and Income Generating Tool
A charitable remainder trust is appealing to individuals holding highly appreciated assets. Instead of paying capital gains tax when you sell your house, a building, or stock, you can put the assets in a trust free from capital gains tax. The trustee will sell the assets and invest the entire proceeds to produce an annual income for you. The payments can be made for your lifetime, the lifetime of the named beneficiary(ies) or for a preset number of years, not to exceed twenty. Not only will you receive a sizable charitable deduction, but you will also gain personal satisfaction in knowing that after your lifetime the remaining principal goes to Walden House. This is known as a charitable remainder trust.
Your Benefits from a Charitable Remainder Trust
- Increased income
- Avoid and defer capital gains taxes
- An income tax deduction, if you itemize
- Reduction of federal estate taxes
How to Designate Walden House in Your Trust
The Walden House Development Department will gladly assist you and your advisor to create a charitable remainder trust. If you choose, Walden House, which has years of experience managing a number of trusts, will serve as trustee or co-trustee. If you wish to name Walden House as the beneficiary of your trust, or you are already working with an advisor and do not wish to select Walden House as the trustee or co-trustee of your trust, you can simply include Walden House by designating your gift to:
Walden House
Tax ID #94-1710103
520 Townsend Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
For more information on how you can help Walden House through Charitable Remainder Trusts or other Planned Giving instruments, please contact Joni Rocks at 415.355.2531 or via email at jrocks@waldenhouse.org.
Living Trusts
What is a Living Trust and Why have One?
A Living Trust is a legal document that you create with your attorney during your lifetime. Similar to a will, a Living Trust gives you the power to name the beneficiaries of your assets after your lifetime. Unlike a will, the assets in a Living Trust avoid the probate process, which can be costly and time consuming. Also, the contents of a living trust are private, unlike a will, which becomes a public document during the probate process.
How to Name Walden House in Your Living Trust
To include a gift to Walden House, you can designate a specific amount or percentage to the "Walden House." Your Living Trust and amendments to your trust must be drafted by an attorney, who is knowledgeable in estate planning and the laws of the state in which you reside.
For more information on how you can help Walden House through Living Trusts or other Planned Giving instruments, please contact Joni Rocks at 415.355.2531 or via email at jrocks@waldenhouse.org.
Retirement Plan Assets
Why Make a Gift of Retirement Plan Assets?
A simple and "tax-wise" way to support Walden House is to make Walden House the final beneficiary on your retirement plan. Under current tax laws, when retirement plan assets are transferred to children or loved ones, as much as 75% of the plan assets can be lost to income and estate taxes. To avoid this double tax, many of our supporters choose to name Walden House, which is tax-exempt, to receive some or all of the assets in their retirement plan and leave other assets to family and loved ones.
Naming Walden House as a Beneficiary
To name Walden House as a beneficiary of your 401(k), 403(b), IRA or other retirement plan, please designate your gift to:
Walden House
Tax ID #94-1710103
520 Townsend Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
How to Donate a Retirement Account
If you have a 401(k) or 403(b) plan, simply advise the plan administrator of your wish and sign the forms that your company’s plan requires. For IRA or Keough plans, notify the custodian in writing and keep a copy with your other valuable records. You should always consult your tax advisor. For more information on how you can help Walden House through Planned Giving instruments, please contact Joni Rocks at 415.355.2531 or via email at jrocks@waldenhouse.org.