Gift Planning Opportunities

Many individuals have faithfully supported the Foundation over the years because they have been drawn to its clear vision and mission of driving research to save and restore sight. Your gifts have kept the Foundation in the forefront of breakthrough scientific advancements that are leading the way for a brighter future for everyone affected with retinal degenerative disease.

GIFT PLANNING: A LEGACY OF HOPE

Bequests

Your will, drafted properly and kept current, may be the most important legal document you ever possess. Through your will you make certain that relatives, friends, and favorite charities are remembered - exactly the way you decide during your lifetime.

If you are unable to make the type or size of gift to The Foundation Fighting Blindness that you would like at this time, you certainly are not alone. Financial concerns, family issues, the type of assets in your estate and other factors often make it unwise or impossible to make a major gift during one's lifetime. By bequeathing a gift to The Foundation Fighting Blindness through your will, you are helping the Foundation while retaining the full use of your assets to provide for today's needs and future expenses such as medical and long-term care.

A bequest is also an opportunity for you to make a larger gift in the future than you may be able to make today. Your bequest can be your final statement about what you believe to be important and worthwhile, such as the programs at The Foundation Fighting Blindness.

A bequest may take several forms. It can be a specific sum, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder of your estate after expenses and gifts to loved ones. Bequests can include cash, securities, real estate, houses, and personal property such as valuable collections, art, or jewelry.

Please consider the sample language noted below:

Percentage Bequest

"I give, devise and bequeath to The Foundation Fighting Blindness (tax identification number 23-7135845), a charitable corporation organized under Maryland law now maintaining its headquarters at 7168 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21046, ____% of the rest and residue of my estate."

Residuary Bequest

"I give, devise and bequeath to The Foundation Fighting Blindness (tax identification number 23-7135845), a charitable corporation organized under Maryland law now maintaining its headquarters at7168 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21046 the rest and residue of my estate."

Contingent Bequest

"In the event that (name or names; i.e., spouse, children, sibling, heirs) shall not survive me, or shall die during the administration of
my estate, within ___ days from the date of my death, or as a result of a common disaster, then I give, devise and bequeath those beneficiaries' shares of my estate to The Foundation Fighting Blindness, (tax identification number 23-7135845), a charitable corporation organized under Maryland law now maintaining its headquarters at 7168 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21046.

Charitable Gift Annuities

Individuals who desire to donate to the Foundation but would like to receive an income stream can establish a Charitable Gift Annuity. The fixed income pay out rate is established by the American Council on Gift Annuity based on actuarial assumptions. In addition to lifetime income, you will receive an income tax deduction for the charitable portion of the annuity and may reduce capital gain taxes if applicable.See chart below for current rates. A minimum gift is $10,000. For more information contact Carlene Cooke at (877) 254-6308.

Trusts

Through a variety of estate planning vehicles such as Charitable Remainder Trusts and Charitable Annuity Trusts, donors can make a financial contribution that will either yield a life income to the donor with the remainder going to the Foundation or provide income to the Foundation over a scheduled period of time with the asset leaving the estate. With most trusts, there is a significant tax deduction and often a reduction of estate and capital gain taxation.

Real Estate

This type of gift may be made in three ways: an outright gift, a life estate agreement or a bargain sale. The Life Estate allows the donor to retain the right to live on and use the property. The title to the property is transferred to the Foundation at the donor’s death. A Bargain Sale allows the donor to sell the property to the Foundation for the cost basis. Donors of outright real estate can deduct the current fair market value of the property, skip the capital gains tax, receive a charitable deduction of 30% (long-term capital gain) or 50% (short-term capital gain) in any one year. Any excess can be carried over for as many as five years. Life Estates and Bargain Sales of real estate also generate tax benefits.

Life Insurance

A gift of life insurance can be made by transferring the ownership of an existing policy, assigning the Foundation as a charitable beneficiary, or purchasing a new policy with the Foundation as the owner. Various tax savings are generated by insurance gifts.

Retirement Funds

If you are beyond the age at which a penalty is imposed for withdrawals, you can notify your plan administrator that you would like to withdraw amounts sufficient to cover the charitable gifts you plan to make this year. For the past several years, you have had the opportunity to transfer up to $100,000 tax free to a qualified charity.

As with all Gift Planning, you should consult with your tax advisor and attorneyto determine what planned gift strategy is best for your current tax situation and income requirements. Consulting estate planning professionals will help ensure that your wishes to make a Legacy of hope will be fulfilled.

The Legacy Society

To make a gift of any kind to the Foundation Fighting Blindness is an act of generosity. To make a gift – one derived from the work of a lifetime is to make a commitment beyond measure – the gift of hope

The Legacy Society is a unique group of Foundation Fighting Blindness leaders who have made a lasting commitment to finding the treatments and cures for retinal degenerative diseases by naming the Foundation as a beneficiary of their estate plans. The Legacy Society is a way for the Foundation to recognize this profound contribution to retinal research.

To keep Legacy Society members well informed about our progress in discovering the treatments and cures for retinal disease and to extend our deepest appreciation, we offer the following benefits:

• Personalized Certificate of Membership
• Invitation to the Visionary Council reception as well as VIP registration and seating at the Visions Conference
• A recognition listing in FFB’s publications: InFocus and Legacy (with your permission only)
• Foundation Fighting Blindness Annual Report
• Invitation to Day of Science, a by invitation only event with FFB’s most prominent researchers and scientists
• Recognition in the Foundation Fighting Blindness InFocusnewsletter
• Updates on Foundation research and other news
• Invitations to FFB Chapter meetings, Symposia and special events

We thank Legacy Society members for their support, encouragement and commitment to finding a cure.

Please contact the Foundation if you have named the Foundation in your estate plans. We would like to recognize your for your generosity and commitment to finding a cure, treatment or prevention for blinding retinal disease. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Carlene Cooke Toll-free at (877) 254-6308.

Mailing Address:
7168 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 100
Columbia, MD 21046
Telephone: (800) 683-5555
Fax: (410) 463-2393
Customer Service Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Gift Planning Staff
Carlene Cooke
Gift Planning Representative
7168 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 100
Columbia, MD 21046
(877) 254-6308
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it