Leave a Legacy That Strengthens Our Community
A Lasting Impact
By partnering with the Foundation for all of your legacy giving, you can simplify the charitable portion of your estate plans while ensuring that your philanthropic wishes are carried out seamlessly.
With the Foundation's Legacy Society, you can make provisions today that will meet the needs of tomorrow. You can provide a permanent source of support for your charitable interests while generating tax savings and even personal income through deferred gifts to the Foundation.
How to Join
You can become a Legacy Society member by naming the Foundation as a beneficiary in your estate plan or through a charitable life income arrangement. Working with the Foundation ensures that your wishes are fulfilled, safeguarding your charitable legacy.
To be included in the Legacy Society membership list, simply complete a Legacy Society Form, found below or provided to you when you notify Foundation staff that you’ve named the Foundation as a beneficiary in your estate plan. The Community Foundation also honors Legacy Society Emeritus Members — individuals who left a lasting legacy by remembering the Foundation in their estate plans. We celebrate their selfless generosity and honor their memory. These members are noted with a star next to their names.
Benefits of the Legacy Society
- Seamless Estate Planning - When planning your estate, you only have to focus on the charitable portion and funding vehicles. Decisions on gift beneficiaries can be determined later working directly with the Foundation.
- Flexibility Without Legal Updates - Donors can set and update charitable estate intentions directly with the Foundation without needing to change legal documents.
- Long-Term Stewardship - In the unlikely event of issues with the intended charitable donation, these can be resolved by the Foundation without impacting the estate.
Member Recognition and Opportunities
Upon joining the Legacy Society, your name will be published in the Foundation’s newsletters, annual reports, the website, and other publications. Legacy Society members receive unique opportunities periodically and are invited to Foundation events.
Are you our Secret Admirer?
If you’ve already included the Foundation in your will, trust, or estate plans—thank you! We’d love to know. Letting us in on the secret helps us ensure your gift is used exactly as you intend and gives us the chance to welcome you into our Legacy Society.
Let us know by completing the Legacy Society Commitment Form:
Hamilton Form Ross Form Fairfield Form
Sample Bequest Language
Each individual situation is unique; therefore, these are basic sample provisions. We advise donors to work with their financial advisor or attorney for their unique situation.
Language for a Percentage Bequest
“I give, devise and bequeath to the Hamilton Community Foundation, Inc., a non-profit public benefit corporation of the State of Ohio, currently located at 319 N. Third Street, Hamilton, OH, with federal tax ID 31-6038277, and its successors and assignees, _____ % of my estate, to be used as the Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion, determines.”
Language for a Residual Bequest
“I give, devise and bequeath to the Hamilton Community Foundation, Inc., a non-profit public benefit corporation of the State of Ohio, currently located at 319 N. Third Street, Hamilton, OH, with federal tax ID 31-6038277, and its successors and assignees, all the residue of my estate, including real and personal property, to be used as the Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion, determines.
