Love is in the air! Valentine’s Day is on the horizon. It’s time to plan the perfect romantic evening with the love of your life. But it’s also the perfect month to consider your planned giving options. There’s no time like February to stop and smell that bouquet of long-stemmed red roses, and explore the profound and lasting impact of planned giving.
This month’s celebration of love and gratitude aligns with the essence of planned giving: the thoughtful, intentional and loving way to leave your legacy imprint on the charitable causes that matter most to you. Your heartfelt gesture of planned giving would help the Franciscan Friars continue their outreach ministries and pastoral and spiritual care to the poor and marginalized well into the future!
Estate planning with heart. Integrate planned giving into your estate planning. Often referred to as legacy or bequest giving, planned giving allows you to make a charitable contribution as part of your overall financial and estate planning. Through bequests, charitable trusts, life insurance policies and retirement accounts, you can designate assets to charitable organizations. Including philanthropy in your estate planning ensures that your legacy reflects your values and provides the opportunity to align those values and ideals in ways that will extend beyond your lifetime.
Planned giving is your love in action! Imagine leaving a legacy that transforms lives, serves as a beacon of hope, and perpetuates your love, commitment and support of your charitable causes long after you’re gone. A planned gift to the Franciscan Friars and their work with the poor checks all these boxes! And you receive the collateral benefit of the Franciscan Friars forever praying for your soul, and for your loved ones still in this world.
Endowment power! Establishing an endowment is a popular form of planned giving. It ensures that your legacy gift will support your chosen charitable cause indefinitely. February, Valentine’s Day… perfect time to start an endowment as a way to sow the seeds of love that will grow and flourish over time.
As February inspires us to reflect on the depth of our relationships and the mark we leave on the world, consider embracing the transformative power of planned giving. Start by articulating your philanthropic vision and identifying charitable causes that resonate with your values, and then consult with trusted financial advisors and legal professionals to explore the most effective planned giving strategies for you.
Remember, planned giving is not reserved for the affluent and elderly. Whether just starting a family, crafting your first will, or revising your estate plan, February is an opportune time to embark on this journey of philanthropic stewardship that will leave a lasting imprint of your love and generosity.
To learn more about how you can help the Franciscan Friars help our poor and marginalized sisters and brothers with your legacy gift, contact Brian Smail, OFM, via email at bsmail@friars.us or by calling 646-473-0265, ext. 303.