Bequests

Through a simple provision in your will, you may make a gift to the Blinded Veterans Association. This is the easiest and most common type of planned gift. Making a bequest is an excellent choice if you want to maintain control of your assets during your lifetime and support BVA.

We can work with you and your advisors to craft specific bequest language that accurately reflects your gift intentions.

Sample Language

I give, devise and bequeath to the Blinded Veterans Association, chartered by the U.S. Congress and located in Washington, D.C. the sum of _____________ dollars or ____% of the residue of my estate. (Or otherwise describe the gift).

If you’d like to speak with a member of our staff, please contact us at 800-669-7079 ext. 304 or select prompt 4. We’re also happy to work with your attorney or financial planner.

Please send correspondence to our National Headquarters:

Blinded Veterans Association
ATTN: Meredith Buono-DaGrossa
PO Box 90770
Washington, DC 20090

Phone: (800) 669-7079
Email: bva@bva.org
Tax ID Number: 53-0214281

Charitable Remainder Trust

A Charitable Remainder Trust (Charitable Remainder Unitrust) may serve as a potential inflation fighter
since the trust is revalued annually and may provide increased income in later years.

This technique offers the following benefits:

• Annual income for life
• Immediate charitable contribution deduction
• Removal of asset from estate
• Ability to avoid capital gains tax and reduce tax liability
• Ability to select the Trustee and offer investment management guidelines
• Potential inflation fighter since trust growth beyond payout can provide increased income in later years
• Similar to a charitable gift annuity, the charitable deduction is dependent upon the age of the beneficiary. If you’d like to speak with a member of our staff, please contact us by phone at (800) 669-7079 or email bva@bva.org. We are happy to work with your attorney or financial planner.

Revocable Living Trust

A living trust, also known as a revocable living trust or a family trust, is a legal document that holds title or ownership to your real property and assets. When you create a revocable living trust, you transfer ownership of your assets to the trust. Transferring assets is typically called “funding.” When you transfer title you DO NOT relinquish any control. You can still buy, sell, borrow, or transfer.

To many, the living trust looks a lot like a will. It includes the details and instructions for how you want
your estate to be handled at your death. Unlike a will, a properly funded trust:

• Does not go through probate.
• Prevents the courts from controlling your assets at incapacity.
• Allows you to name beneficiaries including Blinded Veterans Association.
• If you’d like to speak with a member of our staff, please contact us at, please contact us by phone at (800) 669-7079 or email bva@bva.org. We are happy to work with your attorney or financial planner.

Assets to Give

Cash

Maximize your charitable deduction and deliver immediate benefits to the Blinded Veterans Association.

Stock and Other Appreciated Securities

The IRS allows you one of its most significant tax breaks for gifts of appreciated securities.

Retirement Plans

The balance of your retirement plan may be worth more when donated. If you own a life insurance plan, you can name the Blinded Veterans Association as the beneficiary of the policy.

Life Insurance

If you own a life insurance policy and you no longer need to protect your loved ones or business interests, you can name the Blinded Veterans Association as the beneficiary of the policy.

A second option is transferring ownership of the policy to the Blinded Veterans Association in your lifetime.

A third option is to purchase a new policy specifically for gifting. Life insurance rates have declined dramatically in recent years, and you may be surprised at the affordability of new insurance, even if you’re in your 60s or 70s. Benefits include:

• Ability to make a large gift with little costs to you.
• Immediate tax deduction for the cash value of the policy if transferred in your lifetime.
• Current or future insurance premiums may be tax deductible.
• Life insurance can be a very cost-effective means to support BVA.

Stocks

It is frequently advantageous to make your donation in the form of appreciated securities. In most cases, the full market value of the securities is deductible while capital gains taxes are eliminated.

Planned Giving Staff

If you’d like to speak with a member of our staff, please contact us by phone at (800) 669-7079 ext. 304 or email bva@bva.org. We are happy to work with your attorney or financial planner.