June 01, 2010

Cashless Ways to Make a Difference

Would you like to make a charitable impact far into the future without giving up cash during your lifetime? These three easy ways can get you started.

You don’t have to be Warren Buffett or Bill Gates to make a significant difference in the lives of others. Consider these cashless ways to support Lewis & Clark. Open a POD account. A payable on death account is a regular bank account that names a person or charity as beneficiary of that account once the account holder dies. Why it’s smart: Legal hassles can be avoided, and your favorite cause has resources to continue its important work. Name Lewis & Clark as beneficiary of retirement plan assets. When your retirement plan assets are paid to individuals at your death, income taxes will be assessed to that individual. But a tax-exempt charity such as Lewis & Clark can inherit the assets without paying taxes. Why it’s smart: You are able to turn your most tax-heavy assets into tax-free assets while making a difference in the lives of others. Name Lewis & Clark as beneficiary of your life insurance policy. Your need for life insurance most likely declines with age, increasing its popularity as a charitable gift. Why it’s smart: Your favorite cause receives a generous gift in the future without you having to give up assets today. A gift of life insurance is also a flexible way to give, because you are able to adjust your plans at any time throughout your lifetime. A gift through a POD account or by beneficiary designation can make a profound impact in furthering our mission to provide the educational opportunities that will attract outstanding students and excellent faculty. It won’t cost you a dime during your lifetime—and may just make you feel like a million bucks. To learn more about the various ways to give that do not require cash, please contact Sharon Bosserman-Benson for the Undergraduate or the Graduate School at 503-768-7911, 800-753-9292, or plangivg@lclark.edu, or the Law School development office at 503-768-6901 or lawgive@lclark.edu.