For nearly 200 years, gifts made with the future in mind have helped shape what Heritage has been able to become.
In the nineteenth century, a $100,000 bequest from Lewis Broadwell’s estate helped establish the Broadwell School, a Universalist school connected with the congregation. Pasted markdown
In the 1960s, Cora Littell, a member of the congregation, left 100 shares of Procter & Gamble stock to the church and another 100 shares to the Clara Barton Guild. Through the years, income from that gift has enabled the Guild to support projects beyond the congregation’s annual budget and to make gifts to organizations in the wider community.
More recently, Heritage has continued to receive legacy gifts from members and friends whose lives are still remembered in this community.
Those gifts have sustained ministries, strengthened the congregation, and made new possibilities available to generations that followed.
A planned gift is one way to continue that tradition.
By including Heritage in your estate or financial plans, you can help ensure that our ministries, values, and community continue to serve generations still to come.
Planned giving does not require great wealth. Gifts of many sizes, made in many different ways, can become a meaningful part of someone’s legacy.
There are several ways to make a planned gift to Heritage. The right approach depends on your circumstances, your family, and the kind of legacy you want to leave.
A gift through your will or trust
You can include Heritage as a beneficiary of your will or revocable trust. A gift might be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, particular property, or a portion of what remains after other gifts have been made.
A beneficiary designation
Retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and some financial accounts allow you to name beneficiaries directly. Heritage can be named to receive all or a percentage of an account.
A gift of appreciated assets
Some donors choose to make gifts of stock or other appreciated investments. Depending on the circumstances, this can be an efficient way to make a significant charitable gift.
A gift arranged during your lifetime
Some planned gifts are established now but ultimately benefit Heritage in the future. Your attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional can help you determine which approach fits your circumstances and goals.
Thoughtful charitable planning is not only about what happens after death. The way you make gifts during your lifetime can sometimes reduce taxes or allow more of what you intend to give to reach Heritage.
For people age 70½ or older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) may allow a gift to be made directly from an IRA to a charitable organization. When properly structured, the distribution is generally excluded from taxable income. Tax-Smart Giving Guide 2026
People who own investments that have increased in value may also want to consider donating appreciated securities rather than selling them and giving the cash. A direct gift of appreciated shares may avoid capital-gains tax that could otherwise result from a sale. Tax-Smart Giving Guide 2026
These strategies are not right for everyone, but they can be worth discussing with a financial or tax advisor.
Our short guide, Tax-Smart Giving in 2026, offers a plain-language introduction to several common charitable-giving strategies, including:
The goal is not to make giving more complicated, but to consider whether a different way of giving might reduce tax drag or allow more of your intended gift to reach Heritage or another cause you care about. Tax-Smart Giving Guide 2026
Download the Tax-Smart Giving Guide
The guide is for educational purposes and is not individual tax, legal, or financial advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, consult a qualified professional. Tax-Smart Giving Guide 2026
You do not need to have the details worked out before contacting us.
If you are considering including Heritage in your estate plan, have already done so, or simply want information to share with your attorney or financial advisor, we would be glad to help.
We can provide information about the congregation, including its legal name and other details that may be needed when preparing documents or beneficiary designations.
Conversations about planned gifts are welcome and confidential.