The Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home (the Home) prides itself on providing health and life care services to modest and low income seniors of the District of Columbia which are designed to maximize the extent to which residence in the Home remains a dynamic life experience.  However, without outside financial support, our ability to sustain that mission becomes significantly compromised.  One of the ways in which potential donors can assist in providing that essential financial support is through “planned giving.”

“Planned giving” is a term commonly used to describe a wide variety of giving vehicles that allow you to give to charity during your lifetime and/or after your death while meeting your current income needs and providing for your heirs.  Planned giving is typically done in conjunction with estate planning, and is a viable option for donors of all income levels.

From a donor’s perspective, planned giving is attractive for many reasons.  It may allow you to make larger gifts than you otherwise could out of your current assets.  Depending on how a planned gift is set up, it may also let you receive a stream of income for life, earn higher investment yield, or reduce your capital gains or estate taxes.  Planned gifts often appeal to people who want to benefit a charitable organization but aren’t certain how much of their assets they’ll need for themselves during their lifetimes.

The most popular planned gift is the simple charitable bequest.  Bequests are popular because they give you the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.  When you make a charitable bequest, you retain full use of your property during life, so there is no disruption of your lifestyle and no immediate out-of-pocket costs.  You simply direct that part of your estate go to your favorite charity(ies) in your will.  A will gives you the opportunity to direct the use of your “social capital” through bequests; without a will, the government may very well make that decision for you.

Since a charitable bequest can take many forms, you have considerable flexibility.  You can leave a specific asset, a specific sum of money, a percentage of your estate or what remains of your estate after you have provided for other beneficiaries.  You can designate exactly how you want your bequest to be used or leave it unrestricted so that we have the ability to meet our every-changing needs.  Most importantly, you can change any bequest provision during your life, which means you remain in complete control of the process.  If you wish to make a bequest – or have already done so – it’s important to let the Home know for several reasons.  First, we want the opportunity to thank you for your commitment and generosity.  But we also want to help you plan your bequest so that you get the most satisfaction out of it.  Whether your bequest is large or modest, good planning can magnify its impact.

We invite you to explore the option of giving through a charitable bequest.  Charitable bequests may be provided by making a new will or by adding a codicil (amendment) to your existing will.  To ensure that your exact intentions are carried out, wills or codicils should be prepared by or with the advice of a personal attorney.

Please consider including the Home in any planned giving arrangements that you might establish in the future.  Your willingness to make such a financial contribution will greatly assist us in the important task of preserving the future of the Home for generations to come. 

The Home is recognized as a tax exempt public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Gifts are tax deductible.