Building a Lasting Impact Through Legacy Giving
Legacy Giving Made Simple for Your Clients
As a professional advisor, you play a crucial role in helping your clients create a meaningful legacy. The Legacy Society at the Community Foundation offers a simple, flexible way to ensure their philanthropic wishes are honored—without the complexity of ongoing estate revisions.
Why Partner with the Community Foundation for Legacy Giving?
- Seamless Estate Planning – Clients can name the Foundation as a beneficiary, allowing them to establish charitable intentions now and refine specific beneficiaries later.
- Flexibility Without Legal Updates – Donors can adjust their charitable estate plans directly with the Foundation without modifying legal documents.
- Long-Term Stewardship – We oversee charitable gifts to ensure they are distributed as intended, resolving any issues that may arise without impacting the estate.
How Clients Join the Legacy Society
A client becomes a Legacy Society member by naming the Community Foundation as a beneficiary in their will, trust, retirement plan, or life income arrangement. Once they notify us of their plans, they complete a Legacy Society Form - found in our downloadable resources - to confirm their commitment.
After joining, we work with the donor to document their charitable intentions, ensuring their future gift is used in alignment with their wishes. This personalized approach gives donors the confidence that their legacy will make the impact they envision.
Honoring Their Commitment
Legacy Society members receive:
- Recognition in Foundation publications (or the option to remain anonymous).
- Exclusive opportunities to connect with other philanthropic leaders.
- Invitations to Foundation events.
We also recognize Legacy Society Emeritus Members—those who have left a charitable gift through their estate—honoring their generosity and lasting impact.
Sample Bequest Language
Each individual situation is unique; therefore, these are basic sample provisions. We advise each donor 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.
