Family Tree Legacy Circle

The Family Tree Legacy Circle recognizes supporters who have informed us of their intent to leave a bequest to JFS, those of blessed memory who have already left such a gift and those who have made a monetary gift to the JFS Endowment in their lifetime.

Meet the Family Tree Legacy Circle members.

How Your Planning
Can Include JFS

You can designate JFS as a beneficiary in your estate planning by: specifying monetary, stock or real estate gifts; stipulating a percentage or remainder of your estate; or, designating JFS as the beneficiary of your life insurance, annuity or retirement instruments (IRA or 401k).

With your gift of $100,000 or more — either now or through a bequest — you may establish a Named Endowment Fund to provide ongoing support for the community needs closest to your heart. 

You should always involve your attorney and/or other advisors in your estate planning.

For more information, or if you have designated JFS as a beneficiary and would like your name added to this list, please contact Randi Abrams-Caras, Major Gifts Director, at rabrams-caras@jfsseattle.org or (206) 726-3619.

• Bequests

  The most common form of legacy giving is a gift described in your will, commonly called a bequest. A bequest affords you flexibility and control over the legacy you leave. For some donors, it also means a portion of your assets will go directly to a cause you value rather than to the government in the form of taxes. If you already have a will, you may be able to make your gift by preparing, with the help of your attorney, a codicil (a brief written amendment) to your will.

• Endowment Giving
  The JFS Endowment is “permanently restricted” with the interest and earning from the fund providing a revenue source to help defray annual operating expenses. Once a donor completes a gift to the JFS Endowment, the interest and earnings are then available to provide financial support for JFS and will continue to do so through the years. Donors can make a gift to the JFS Endowment during their lifetime OR at death through a bequest or beneficiary designation in an insurance policy or retirement instrument that specifically directs the gift to the JFS Endowment.
• Life Insurance
  Many donors overlook life insurance as a source for charitable giving yet it can be utilized to increase the impact of your philanthropy. This is done by transferring ownership of a life insurance policy to JFS or simply changing the policy’s beneficiary designation to JFS for some or all of the policy proceeds. This type of gift is particularly popular with donors who have policies that are no longer needed to provide for their families. It is also an attractive way to give if you want to provide significant support for JFS but are unable to provide such support to JFS during your lifetime.
• Retirement Plans
  Another method of legacy giving is a contribution of funds in a retirement plan such as an IRA or 401(k). This is simple to arrange. Your retirement plan administrator can provide a brief beneficiary form for you to complete; you can designate JFS as the beneficiary of all or a stated percentage of your unused plan assets. Because retirement plan benefits left to your loved ones are subject to income tax, naming an organization like JFS as your beneficiary typically offers the greatest income tax savings (and perhaps estate tax savings).