Bequests

One of the easiest ways to make a legacy gift is to include Girls Inc. of Alameda County in your will or trust. Your gift can be a specific dollar amount, securities, real estate, or other property. You can also designate Girls Inc. of Alameda County as a beneficiary of all or a percentage of the remainder of your estate (a residuary bequest). Your bequest remains entirely under your control during your lifetime and becomes irrevocable only at death. To make a bequest to Girls Inc. of Alameda County, it is not necessary to rewrite existing documents — simply add an amendment, called a codicil, to your will or trust.

Suggested bequest language to be used with an attorney:

“I give (___________dollars) or (a specific asset, such as securities, real estate, or other property) or (all) or (___________ percent of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate) to Girls Inc. of Alameda County – tax ID 94-1558073), located in Oakland, California (for the benefit of its general purposes) or (for the following purpose: ____________________________________).”

Retirement Plans

A retirement plan can be a tax-efficient and simple way of including Girls Inc. of Alameda County in your legacy giving plans. If left to anyone other than a spouse, retirement account assets may be subject to significant taxation. As a tax-exempt organization, Girls Inc. of Alameda County will generally receive the full amount of the plan’s value. To name Girls Inc. of Alameda County as a beneficiary, contact your IRA, 401(k), or other retirement plan administrator to obtain a beneficiary form.

Donor Advised Funds

Similar to retirement plans, you can name Girls Inc. of Alameda County as a charitable beneficiary of your donor advised fund (DAF). Your DAF advisor can provide a beneficiary designation form for you to complete.

Charitable Gift Annuities

A charitable gift annuity (CGA) is simple to create. You fund your annuity with a gift of cash or stock and are paid a guaranteed fixed amount quarterly or annually for life.

Designate Your Gift

Unrestricted gifts allow Girls Inc. of Alameda County to direct funds where they are most needed. You may also direct your gift toward a specific program or purpose.

If you would like to designate your gift for a particular purpose, please contact Jeri Boomgaarden at jboomgaarden@girlsinc-alameda.org so we can work together to ensure your gift intentions are clear.

Real Estate

You can donate appreciated real estate, such as a home, vacation property, undeveloped land, farmland, or commercial property. Such gifts can be among the most generous that people can leave to Girls Inc. of Alameda County and make a tremendous difference in the organization’s capacity to respond to our community’s greatest needs.

Life Insurance Policy

If you have a life insurance policy that you no longer need, you can use it to reduce your taxes and create a legacy gift for Girls Inc. of Alameda County to secure our community’s future for generations to come. When you transfer ownership of the policy during your lifetime, you may receive an immediate tax deduction, or by naming us as a beneficiary, your estate would receive a charitable deduction, which may reduce your estate taxes.

Cash

A donation of cash is the most direct way to create your legacy. You benefit from a charitable tax credit while you have an immediate impact on the present and future of Girls Inc. of Alameda County. You can make your gift online at our website www.girlsinc-alameda.org or by sending a check or money order to:

Girls Inc. of Alameda County

Attn: Development Department

510 16th Street

Oakland, CA 94612