Planned Giving & Endowments: Leave a Legacy in Cascade County
Create lasting change. Make your legacy matter.
At United Way of Cascade County, your generosity can speak beyond the present—through planned gifts and endowments, your support can strengthen our community for generations to come.
Why Consider Giving Through Your Estate?
- Leave a lasting legacy that will uplift children, support seniors, and empower families in Cascade County.
- Customize your gift to align with your personal values and financial goals.
- Enjoy potential tax benefits while ensuring your impact continues long into the future.
Ways to Give:
Bequests in Your Will or Trust - One of the easiest and most flexible ways to make a meaningful gift. Simply include language in your will or trust that designates United Way of Cascade County—or a specific program—as a beneficiary.
Options include specifying a dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or naming United Way as the residual beneficiary.
Beneficiary Designations -Designate United Way of Cascade County as a full, partial, or contingent beneficiary of your: Retirement account (IRA, 401(k), pension plans); Life insurance policy, this method helps your gift transfer directly — often avoiding estate taxes;
IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions - If you're 70½ or older, you can donate up to \$108,000 annually directly from your IRA to our organization—receiving tax benefits and potentially meeting your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) obligations. These transfers are tax-free and don’t require itemizing deductions. ([United Way Pasco County][1], [Orange County United Way][4])
Charitable Gift Annuities & Trusts - Charitable Gift Annuity: Provide yourself or a loved one with guaranteed lifetime payments while supporting our mission; Charitable Remainder Trust (CRAT/CRUT): Receive income during your lifetime; the remainder passes to United Way; Charitable Lead Trust: Income supports United Way for a set period before assets are returned to your designated heirs. These instruments offer income opportunities and tax advantages.
Gifts of Real Estate - You can donate property—such as land, a home, vacation property, or commercial real estate—by transferring the deed. Benefits may include a charitable income tax deduction and avoidance of capital gains taxes. Please contact us if you’re considering a property with a mortgage or complex features.
Life Insurance Gifts - Donate an existing policy or name United Way as a beneficiary. Alternatively, you can enroll in a program to purchase a new policy with United Way designated as the beneficiary and receive tax benefits on premium payments. ([United Way][6])
Gifts of Business Interests or Securities - Contribute appreciated stocks, bonds, or business interests to further our mission while potentially maximizing your tax savings.
Endowment Gifts - By establishing—or contributing to—an endowment, you help ensure ongoing support for our community work:
- A portion of investment earnings is used now to address immediate needs.
- The rest is reinvested, building perpetual support for programs that improve lives across Cascade County.
How to Get Started
We’re here to help guide you through all options—whether you’re considering a will bequest, life income gift, or endowment. To begin planning your lasting impact, please contact:
Dean Jardee, United Way of Cascade County Development Director
406-727-8671/ djardee@uwccmt.org
Your planned gift is more than a donation—it’s a promise for the future.