Charitable Bequests

Leave a Legacy with a Charitable Bequest

A charitable bequest is one of the most meaningful ways you can make a difference for future generations. By including the BHI Foundation in your will or estate plan, your generosity will continue to enhance the lives of older adults across our communities long into the future.

How to Give Download Sample Bequest Information

Important Legal Information

  • Legal name
    BHI Foundation, Inc
  • Address
    8330 Allison Pointe Trail, Indianapolis, IN 46250
  • Tax ID
    (EIN) 35-1680796
  • The BHI Foundation is a 509(a)(3) supporting organization; contributions are tax-deductible under U.S. and Indiana law.

What is a bequest in a will?

In the estate planning process, you can designate a beneficiary to receive some portion of your assets in your will. When you leave a gift in your will, this type of planned gift is called a bequest.

Charitable bequests are specifically made to a charitable organization, like the BHI Foundation. This type of bequest can be a transfer of cash, securities or other property made through your estate plans.

You may choose to leave:

  • A fixed amount – a specific dollar gift
  • A percentage of your estate – e.g. 5% of your total estate value
  • A specific asset – such as real estate, stocks, or personal property
  • A residual bequest – what remains after other obligations are met

Why Your Bequest Matters

When you choose to leave a legacy gift, you:

  • Ensure residents have access to benevolent care if they outlive their resources
  • Support programs and experiences that bring joy, creativity, and purpose
  • Provide resources to caregivers and team members who make BHI communities feel like home
  • Strengthen the Foundation’s ability to respond to the greatest needs across all campuses

How can I include my BHI community in my estate plans?

As part of charitable estate planning, donors can leave a legacy gift for their BHI Community through the BHI Foundation in several ways:

  • Bequest – You can make a bequest to charity by including language in your will or living trust, leaving a portion of your estate to your BHI community via the BHI Foundation.
  • Beneficiary Designation(s) – You can name the BHI Foundation as a beneficiary of your bank accounts, investment accounts, life insurance policy, Donor Advised Fund (DAF), and retirement assets including IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)s and 403(b)s and other pension plans. Beneficiary designation forms, available from the institutions where you have your accounts, work to pass those assets directly to the beneficiaries you name.
  • Charitable Gift Annuity – Through a CGA, you can make an irrevocable gift to support your BHI community while providing a source of fixed income for life to you or another annuitant.

Community Gift Officers are available to speak with you about meaningful ways you can support your BHI Community and work of the BHI Foundation.

Sample Bequest Language

Below are examples of wording your attorney may use when preparing your will. Each option reflects a different way you can leave a gift:

“I give and bequeath the sum of $_____to The BHI Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization located at 8330 Allison Pointe Trail, Indianapolis, IN 46250 (Tax ID: 35-1680796), to be used for its general charitable purposes.”

“I give and bequeath___% of my estate to BHI Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization located at 8330 Allison Pointe Trail, Indianapolis, IN 46250 (Tax ID: 35-1680796), to be used for its general charitable purposes.”

“I give and bequeath all (or__%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to BHI Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization located at 8330 Allison Pointe Trail, Indianapolis, IN 46250 (Tax ID: 35-1680796), to be used for its general charitable purposes.”

Frequently Asked Questions

There are numerous benefits to charitable bequests:

A meaningful part of your legacy
A charitable bequest costs you nothing now yet gives you the satisfaction of knowing you have provided for a charity or nonprofit organization’s future. And they can be simple to establish relative to their potentially significant impact.

Flexible and simple setup
To get started, you can simply add a few lines of text to your probated will or living trust. You may also modify your bequest if your circumstances change.

Charitable bequest tax deductions
Charitable bequests could help reduce federal estate taxes because there’s no limit to the value of charitable bequest assets that can be deducted from the total estate’s value. Also, the specific assets that are counted for the charitable deduction don’t have to be cash. You can include other assets like stocks, IRAs and real estate.

You may direct your gift to support areas such as Resident & Community Enrichment programs, Employee Education, Benevolent Care,or another initiative that matters to you.

A charitable bequest is fully revocable during your lifetime. You can update or adjust it if your circumstances or wishes change.