A Plan to Talk About
Many people have an intrinsic desire to help others who are less fortunate, suffering or facing difficulty in life. We want to help build a better future for others, even after we ourselves are gone.
But sometimes the best-laid plans go awry. Our big-hearted intentions to leave a family legacy of positive change in the world can be dashed if we don’t have important discussions with our heirs and seek the counsel of trusted legal and accounting professionals. All three play an important role in building a better future through legacy giving.
Every day at NightShift Street Ministries, we see generous people coming together to build a better future for people living on the street and stuck in poverty for a variety of reasons. Our amazing volunteers and our wonderful donors and supporters come together to help NightShift reach out to people who are struggling with homelessness, addiction, trauma, mental illness and loneliness with a warm meal, basic nursing, crisis counselling and clothing. We also provide ongoing care programs and referrals offered during the day. We seek to share love, hope and purpose with those who can’t find it for themselves.
Sadly, as a non-profit organization, we have seen that not everyone’s desires to leave a legacy of charitable giving are carried out. Sometimes this is because a family member has contested the will of someone who wanted to leave a gift to charity. And we have seen people’s legacy gifts halted because they overlooked the importance of tax planning advice and a legal will. Oftentimes, estate taxes eat up much of the intended charitable gift. But it doesn’t have to be this way!
Our humble advice to anyone wishing to leave a legacy and build a better future for others is:
• Talk to your family: Share with your heirs your desire to give – to leave a legacy that can be built on by the whole family. Tell them why you are attached to a certain organization or why you want to help in a particular area. Encourage your family to join you!
• Plan your giving: Meet with an accountant. He or she can advise you on ways to optimize the tax breaks associated with charitable donations. Maximize these benefits!
• Be specific: Have your will professionally drawn up by a lawyer, and be specific about where and how you want to give.
• Search your heart: Perhaps you’ve already felt a pull toward a certain organization based on the people it helps. Who do you want to help with your legacy?
At NightShift Street Ministries, we couldn’t do what we do without the generosity of each and every person who has served with us, given to us in finances and time, and simply shared a little love, hope and purpose with those who need it most. Thank you.