Planned giving is the result of a consistent effort at developing new ways to give to the Optimist Foundations. Planned gifts help support the mission of a charity while looking after the donor's own financial well being. Such gifts have and continue to provide substantial tax savings for themselves and their heirs. A donor may choose to use one or more of the following gift planning devices:

Bequests

A transfer, by will, of personal property such as cash, securities or other tangible property to the Optimist International Foundations. Language similar to the following can be used: I give and bequeath to Optimist International Foundation, a Missouri not-for-profit corporation located at 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108, the sum of _____dollars for use in furthering the stated purposes of the Foundation.

I give and bequeath $ ______ to the Optimist International Foundation of Canada, Registration No. 0825604-29.

Insurance Policy Gifts

Gifts of insurance policies to a charity are tax deductible and are often an affordable way to make a substantial gift. Donors can irrevocably transfer ownership of an existing policy to the Optimist Foundation or establish a new Life Insurance Policy in which the Optimist Foundation is the irrevocable owner and beneficiary and the insured is the donor. Premium payments by the donors are tax deductible. If a donor is interested in purchasing insurance for giving purposes, the Optimist Foundation recommends that the donor establish an Endowment Plus Insurance Policy. Through this program, the donor allows the Foundation to use his/her donation to purchase an endowment life insurance policy (worth $2,500-$100,000) in the donor's name. The Foundations will own the policy and be the designated beneficiary. An application for this program may be obtained by contacting the Foundation office.

Charitable Gift Annuities

These enable a donor to give an asset(s), preferably appreciated, to the Optimist International Foundation/Optimist International Foundation of Canada, and the Foundation will make fixed annual payments to the annuitant based on Gift Annuity actuary tables. A portion of the gifted asset, depending on its appreciated value, is tax deductible at the time the gift is made, and a portion of the annual payments may be tax-free.

Charitable Remainder Trust

A trust that pays (annually to the donor and/or another beneficiary) a fixed amount equal to not less than 6 percent of the initial fair market value of the property placed in trust. The ultimate recipient, after the donor or beneficiary dies, is the Optimist International Foundation/Optimist International Foundation of Canada.

Charitable Lead Trust

This type of trust provides payments to the Optimist International Foundation/Optimist International Foundation of Canada for a stipulated period of time, free from federal gift and estate taxes. At the end of the trust, the trust assets go to the designated individual.

** The above are simple definitions of certain legal instruments. Prospective Planned Giving donors should consult with their financial advisor, attorney, or the Optimist International Foundations' Planned Giving Consultant for assistance in entering into any of these arrangements. The legalities of Planned Giving options may vary in Canada. Donors are encouraged to check with their personal Financial Consultant on these devices.