Planned Giving

For more information about planned giving, please contact OK Humane President Christy Counts at christy@okhumane.org or 405-607-8991.

Planned giving is one way to provide that same sense of security and peace of mind for ourselves and our families, as well as to leave a legacy that will help make a difference after we’re gone.

Including the Central Oklahoma Humane Society in your estate plans means you can take advantage of special tax deductions and incentives that will in turn also benefit your loved ones. You’ll also be helping some very special animals. Contact your attorney or financial planner to learn more about the options for planned giving.

You’ll find your own peace of mind, knowing that you will be providing for your loved ones and helping homeless animals in central Oklahoma. You might not be able to do a five-foot leap in celebration, but one of our dogs would be happy to do one for you!

Options for Planned Giving

There are many options for planned giving, and we can’t summarize them all here. Nor should this information be considered legal or financial advice. Contact your attorney or financial planner to learn more about the wide variety of ways you can support the Central Oklahoma Humane Society through planned giving.

1. Bequests

Bequests, or gifts in your will, are what most people think of when they hear about estate planning. A bequest is one of the simplest ways to make a gift from your estate. You can make a bequest in a variety of ways, including a gift of a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, an item or piece of property, or the amount that remains after you have provided for your loved ones. Bequests are deductible for federal estate tax purposes, and are usually not subject to state inheritance or estate taxes. Contact your attorney to learn more about including the Central Oklahoma Humane Society in your will, and which options will work best for you and your family.

2. Gifts Through Life Insurance

A gift through your life insurance policy is another simple way to make a charitable gift. You may have a life insurance policy that is no longer needed to provide for your family or for other expenses. You can name the Central Oklahoma Humane Society as a beneficiary of your policy, or you can make a gift of the entire policy. Tax advantages vary. Your attorney and your insurance agent can help you get started with a gift through your life insurance policy.

3. Retirement Accounts

Like a life insurance policy, the Central Oklahoma Humane Society can be named as the first or second beneficiary on your retirement account. Heirs other than your spouse pay significant income taxes on inherited retirement funds. Making a contribution from these funds can help limit the amount of tax owed by your heirs, and can also maximize your charitable gift. Since taxes have not yet been paid on your retirement account, and you can make a tax-free donation of these funds, you may be able to give a larger gift from your retirement account than you would otherwise.

4. Charitable Remainder Trusts

A charitable remainder trust, or CRT, is an arrangement in which a donor’s assets provide a regular income stream to the donor, until that income is no longer needed. The assets of the trust are then passed on to a charity like the Central Oklahoma Humane Society. Tax advantages for CRTs include a current charitable deduction for the donation and no upfront capital gains tax is payable at the time of contribution of appreciated property.

Planned Giving FAQs

Do I have to be wealthy to leave a legacy?

Almost anyone can make a charitable gift through estate planning. Most people have an estate of some kind when they die, even if they are not wealthy. Planned giving is an opportunity to give more and make a greater impact in the long term than you may have been capable of during your lifetime. Including the Central Oklahoma Humane Society in your will or giving through your life insurance policy or retirement account are all wonderful ways to support the care and love of disabled animals, even if your current resources are limited.

Is it important to designate my instructions in a written will?

Your wishes for your estate must be recorded in a will to ensure that they will be carried out properly. Neither the state nor your family will be able to carry out your wishes without proper, legally binding written instructions. There are many important reasons to have a will—making a lasting charitable contribution from your estate is just one of the important decisions that should be made now.

Don’t I want my heirs to receive my estate?

Many people want to use their estate to provide for their loved ones. Planned giving is a way to ensure that your heirs fully benefit from the resources you’ve built over a lifetime. Estate and capital gains taxes can significantly reduce the total amount of an inheritance. Making a charitable gift through your estate can actually decrease the taxes paid by your estate. Your attorney can give you more information about the tax advantages made available through planned giving.

For more information about planned giving, please contact OK Humane President Christy Counts at christy@okhumane.org or 405-607-8991.