A will is the cornerstone of planned giving. It’s a critical tool to protect your family from accidental disinheritance and ensure that your choices regarding charitable giving are fulfilled as you intended. Because we believe everyone should have a will, we provide a free guide that you can download called “Provide and Protect.” This guide explains the process of creating a will, helping you identify and collect the materials you’ll need to share with your financial planner or attorney. If you prefer, we can mail a copy of the Guide to you; just call our office at (574) 232-0041. You can also watch our 12 free short videos about different aspects of planning your will: Video Presentations About Wills.

Including the Community Foundation in your will is as simple as incorporating bequest language such as this: “I give, devise, and bequeath to the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County the sum of $__ (or a description of the specific asset you wish to bequeath) for (a specific fund within the Foundation).” If you prefer not to name a specific fund, you can substitute “its unrestricted use.”