Things You Can Do to Leave a Legacy...

Legacies are a major source of income for many nonprofits. The BDPA Education & Technology Foundation (BETF) would love for BDPA leaders, founders and members to mention us in their will.

Here are things we want you to consider:

Prepare a will. Only 40% of those who pass away have one. Without a will, you may lose control over your personal possessions.

• Leave a gift in your will for BETF or any other non-profit organizations that make a difference in your life. Americans are generous - 70% of us give to charity each year. Surprisingly, less than 6% of persons in American households have included non-profits in an estate plan. Imagine the positive impact on our community if everyone made a donation to their favorite nonprofits!
• Leave a specific dollar amount or a percentage of the assets in your will to the non-profits of your choice.
  
• Consider using appreciated assets to fund current charitable gifts and planned gifts. These include, but are not limited to stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, real estate, vehicles, art and jewelry. Such gifts may even provide tax savings. Contact a professional advisor for advice.
• Name BETF as the beneficiary of your pension plan, IRA, retirement plan. Doing so can avoid estate and income taxes (up to 70%) that might otherwise be due on your plan. Be sure to seek the advice of an attorney or accountant when designating a charity as partial beneficiary of a retirement account.
• Name BETF (or your favorite non-profit) as the owner or beneficiary of a new or existing life insurance policy.
• Call BETF about supporting special BDPA chapter funds, Bemley Scholarship fund or the brand-new SITES Endowment Fund.
  
• Remember loved ones with memorial gifts.
• Encourage family and friends to leave gifts to BETF, or their favorite non-profit, in their will.
• Ask your financial advisor to include charitable giving as part of counsel to clients.

BETF would be honored to work with you on ways that your legacy can be used. We want to leverage your donation to make a difference in the lives of young people seeking to advance their careers in the IT industry from the classroom to the boardroom. Gifts left to BETF don't have to be big to be helpful. Many of you may be saying that you don't really have 'an estate'. But, if you leave $500, $1,000 or $2,500 to BETF, it can really help. ... A lot of people get caught up in the large numbers, but leaving $1,000 to the BETF can be a big help. Learn more from the folks at the Leave a Legacy organization.