Legacy starts with a home
Planned giving allows generous supporters like you to make a lasting impact—often in ways you may not have thought possible. With a little planning, you can help Habitat for Humanity build a world where everyone has a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home—now and for generations to come.
Whether you're considering a future gift or one that creates immediate impact, there are a variety of simple ways to support families while also gaining personal financial benefits.
Ways to Leave Your Legacy
Will or Living Trust
One of the most straightforward and flexible ways to ensure your legacy continues is by including Habitat in your will or living trust. Known as a charitable bequest, this type of gift allows you to support our mission long after your lifetime—without impacting your finances today.
Creating a will or living trust is a powerful way to reflect your love, generosity, and values. It ensures your family and loved ones are cared for and provides you with the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of others. These gifts are completely revocable and can be adjusted as your circumstances change. Best of all, they cost you nothing during your lifetime.
Retirement Plans and IRAs
You can make a difference at Habitat now or for future generations with a tax-wise gift from your retirement plan or IRA.
Why is it tax-wise?
A retirement plan or IRA is typically the largest source of assets that generate taxable income when paid to a beneficiary. More than one-half of your retirement plan could be subject to income and estate taxes. Therefore, if you are considering a gift to Habitat after your lifetime, it is usually better to leave taxable assets to us and give nontaxable assets
to your loved ones.
Qualified Charitable Distribution
A qualified charitable distribution, also known as a charitable IRA rollover, allows donors 70½ or older to make tax-free IRA gifts of up to $100,000 per year directly from their individual retirement accounts. The funds must be transferred directly to the charity; depositing the funds first in your account will result in a taxable event.
Life Insurance Policies
Life circumstances may change, and the needs you once had for permanent life insurance benefits may no longer be the same today. You can name Habitat (as a nonprofit organization) to be the beneficiary of a life insurance policy just as you can name people as beneficiaries. Because you can name more than one beneficiary, you can divide the death benefit among your loved ones and Habitat.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract in which you agree to make a gift to Habitat for Humanity and we, in return, agree to pay you – and/or someone else if you choose – a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life. Annuity rates vary by age and number of annuitants.
This gift provides you with regular payments and allows us to further our work. Creating a charitable gift annuity with Habitat may also provide a variety of tax benefits. Your gift will qualify for a federal income tax deduction, and a portion of your payments will be tax-free income. If you fund your annuity with appreciated property rather than cash, you may minimize capital gains. Gains that you do pay are deferred and paid over your lifetime (provided that you are the primary annuitant).
Delay Your Payments
If you are between the ages of 55 snd 64 or do not need your payments immediately, you can set up a deferred gift annuity. This allows you to delay payments to you until a later date, such as when you reach retirement. Deferring payments may also provide a higher rate of return on your future income.
Let’s Build Your Legacy Together
Every planned gift, large or small, plays a vital role in helping us build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Whether you're ready to make a gift today or just beginning to explore your options, we’re here to help.