Why Consider Legacy Giving
Legacy giving is a powerful way to ensure that your values live on. By including KIDS MATTER in your long-term plans, you can:
-
Make a lasting impact on children who need safety, advocacy, and support.
-
Support a cause you believe in without affecting your current financial situation.
-
Provide for your loved ones and the charities you care about.
-
Create tax advantages for you or your estate, depending on the giving method.
-
Extend your influence beyond your lifetime, ensuring vulnerable children continue receiving help for generations.
Legacy gifts are not just financial decisions—they are statements of hope, compassion, and belief in a brighter future for kids.
Richard and Jean Perez
Richard and Jean Perez showed their love for children throughout their lives. Richard (“Coach Perez”) mentored hundreds of young athletes as a physical education teacher and carried with him the memory of his beloved foster mother. Jean was the heart of their home—the neighborhood mom—and later grandmother to five.
In their final wishes, both Richard and Jean chose to support KIDS MATTER through memorial gifts from family and friends, continuing their lifelong legacy of care.
Marilyn and Gilbert Zeitz
Marilyn and Gilbert Zeitz built a successful family business and believed deeply in giving back. Gil, an Army veteran and MSOE graduate, was known for his humor and generosity. Marilyn shared his commitment to community, supporting organizations that served neighbors in need.
As she planned her estate, Marilyn chose to make vulnerable children a meaningful part of her and Gil’s legacy through a bequest to KIDS MATTER. Their gift is now changing the lives of children who need advocacy and support.
Ways to Leave a Legacy
If you are interested in making a meaningful legacy impact—just as the Zeitz and Perez families did—there are many ways to become a champion for children. Below are some of the most common options to discuss with your financial advisor or estate planner.
1. Bequests
A bequest is a gift you leave in your will or living trust. SPECIFIC LANGUAGE which include our tax ID NUMBER
A charitable bequest designates a portion of your estate—cash, securities, or other property—to KIDS MATTER.
This is one of the most flexible ways to create a legacy. You can give a specific amount, a percentage, or the remainder of your estate.
2. Charitable Gift Annuities (CGAs)
A charitable gift annuity allows you to make an irrevocable donation while receiving fixed income payments for life (or for another person you name).
It’s a meaningful way to support children while creating dependable income for your retirement years.
3. Charitable Remainder Trusts
A charitable remainder trust (CRT) is an irrevocable trust that provides income to you or another beneficiary for life or for a set term. After that, the remainder goes to the charity you choose.
CRTs can:
-
Provide income
-
Reduce taxable income
-
Leave a substantial future gift to KIDS MATTER
4. Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
If you have a donor-advised fund, you can recommend grants to support KIDS MATTER now or name KIDS MATTER as a future beneficiary.
DAFs are an easy, tax-efficient way to make an impact during your lifetime and beyond.
5. Real Property
You might consider donating property to KIDS MATTER (land, auto, stocks etc) if:
-
You own residential, commercial, or undeveloped property that has appreciated in value.
-
You no longer want to manage taxes, insurance, or maintenance.
-
You have a vacation home your family no longer uses.
-
You want the property to fund a Charitable Remainder Trust or Gift Annuity.
Real estate can be one of the most transformative legacy gifts.
Learn More
There are many flexible ways to make a lasting difference for children who need advocacy, stability, and support. To explore the giving option that’s right for you, please consult a trusted financial advisor or estate planning professional.
If you’d like to talk with us about creating your legacy, we’d be honored to help.