A Legacy of Love

Everyone would like to be remembered for the deeds they accomplished while on this earth. Some will have monuments built in their memory, others a hospital wing, or a foundation named in their honor. Most of us will be remembered in more modest ways.

Those of us fortunate enough to share our homes and lives with animals know the joy and happiness they bring. To help the animals that give us so much and ask so little in return, you can be part of the Legacy of Love.

The Humane Society of Pulaski County, HSPC, has been providing sanctuary, care, and hope for animals since 1946. Each year hundreds of unwanted, abused, and neglected animals look to HSPC for help. HSPC is more than just shelter for animals. We offer our animals a chance for a new life through adoption.

With your help, HSPC will continue to further the cause of animal welfare. Donations and tax-free contributions are always needed at HSPC. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that receives no governmental support. The Legacy of Love offers other options for you to be remembered for your love and kindness to animals.

What is a planned gift?

Planned giving involves making arrangements now to have HSPC and the animals benefit from some of your assets, either currently or in the future. Through this type of giving, individuals can often make a more significant gift than they ever thought possible, while maximizing the financial and tax benefits to you, your estate, and your family.

There are many ways to make your planned gift. A planned gift can be as simple as transferring long-term appreciated stock to HSPC directly (rather than selling it and donating the after-tax proceeds) or naming HSPC as a beneficiary in your will or life insurance policy.

There is something very profound about knowing that the things you care about during your life will be supported, even after your lifetime. Your legacy of good works can continue long after you’re gone when you remember the Humane Society of Pulaski County while planning your estate or writing your will.

Please ask your attorney or financial planner about planned giving. Your simple act will help you leave a legacy of hope that will provide for animals for years to come.

Planned Giving Options: General Information

By making a planned gift through your will or estate plan to the Humane Society of Pulaski County you are extending your commitment to the animals of our community beyond your own lifetime.

A Gift in Your Will
Including HSPC as a beneficiary of your will or in your revocable living trust is a way to ensure that HSPC can continue saving and helping animals.  Whether you have vast assets or have only a few possessions, a will prevents legal complications and delays. It directs your personal representative to deal with your estate as you wish.

Perhaps the most straightforward option is to make a bequest in your will. Another important aspect of a will is that it allows you to provide for the animals you care about after your death. Whether this means your own animals or those at HSPC, your will can continue a legacy of kindness.

If you decide to support HSPC through your will, you can:

• Direct a specific bequest of money or an asset (e.g. stock, a house) to HSPC.
• Designate a percentage of the total value of the estate.
• Designate a residual bequest that directs HSPC receive the remainder of the estate, or a portion of the remainder, after all expenses and other bequests have been made.

Life Insurance Policy
Some assets, life insurance policies or certificates of deposit allow you to name a beneficiary. If these are no longer required to care for dependents, consider naming the Humane Society of Pulaski County as the beneficiary. HSPC may be named as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy. Depending on the policy type, an income tax deduction may or may not be permitted.

Retirement Plan Assets
Some assets, such as IRAs and other qualified retirement plans, do not pass directly through your will and require you to name a beneficiary. Consider making HSPC a full or partial beneficiary.

Donate interest in an IRA or other qualified savings plan
These plans can be excellent choices for charitable gifting because they may be otherwise taxed more heavily than other assets-sometimes greater than 50 percent. Because the laws are subject to change, you should always consult your attorney or tax planner for advice on this or any other matter.  However, by making HSPC the beneficiary, the full value of the account will pass to HSPC to be used to benefit the animals.

Remainder Interest in Personal Residence
You can give your personal residence to HSPC while specifying that you (and/or another person) be permitted to continue using the property for life. This can result in a sizable tax deduction, depending upon the age(s) of the person(s) in question.

Charitable Gift Annuities
Provides numerous tax benefits to you, and you are guaranteed an income for the rest of your life.

Stock
Shares of stock may be donated to HSPC and are tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.

These are just some of the options for planned giving. Before deciding on what type of gift you might make to HSPC, please consult with your attorney. Tax laws change and an independent estate planning professional should always review your individual situation.