Because each taxpayer has different tax issues, we suggest you talk with your accountant, tax advisor, or attorney to determine which method of giving is best suited for you and your financial situation.

Legacy Giving ensures that your generosity will continue beyond your lifetime, provide yours heirs with potential benefits, and inspire others to follow your example. A variety of assets other than cash, such as insurance policies, stocks, and property, can be put to work for people with mental illness.

Bequests

Bequests are one of the most forward thinking ways to ensure that Green Door continues to serve women and men with mental illness in the future. By making a simple amendment to your current will (a codicil), or by including Green Door in your estate plans, you can leave a gift of cash, securities, or real estate as a sign of your commitment to helping people with mental illness. By naming Green Door as a beneficiary, your estate will be eligible to receive a charitable estate tax-deduction, saving estate and income taxes.

There are several ways you can arrange a Bequest to Green Door:

• Specific Bequest. You may specify a dollar amount, a percentage of your total estate or particular securities or property.

  "I hereby bequeath to Green Door, the sum of $_____ [and/or] the following property: [list specific securities and/or description of specific property]."

• Residual Bequest. You may choose to designate Green Door as the recipient of the remainder of your estate after all expenses and specific bequests have been paid to other beneficiaries.

  "After payment of all just expenses of my estate and all specific bequests, the residue [or remainder] of my estate I hereby bequeath to Green Door."

• Contingent Bequest. You may designate all or a portion of your estate to Green Door in the event that your primary beneficiary or beneficiaries do not survive you.

  "If the above-named beneficiaries should predecease me, then I bequeath to Green Door, such property of my estate as had been intended for such persons."

If you designate a Bequest to Green Door we would greatly appreciate receiving a copy of that portion of your will that mentions Green Door. By reviewing the provisions of your Bequest now, Green Door can honor them with no possibility of misinterpretation at a later date. All information you provide will be held in strict confidence and serve only to assist Green Door in planning for the future.

Retirement Plans

Most retirement plan assets are taxed twice at death because they are subject to an estate tax and income tax. By naming Green Door as a beneficiary of a portion of your pension plan, profit sharing plan or 401K plan, your estate will be eligible to receive a charitable estate tax-deduction-saving estate and income taxes.

Life Insurance

When you name Green Door as a beneficiary and owner of a Life Insurance policy, you may be able to deduct the premiums paid during the tax year.

Gifts of Real Estate

When you donate a gift of property to Green Door you can deduct the full fair market value of the property and avoid capital gains tax. Additionally, if appropriate, Green Door may use the property to provide housing to individuals who were once homeless, giving you additional satisfaction in knowing that your gift continues to give to those in need.

Contact the Development office for more information by sending an email to development@greendoor.org or by calling 202-408-1977.