CTAI Services

What is Planned Giving?

Planned giving allows an individual or family to donate responsibly and concretely to organizations representing causes that matter to them. The income and estate tax planning tools utilized to carry out this process vary widely, ranging from wills and living trusts to a number of sophisticated instruments. These techniques are designed to meet donors’ specific giving desires, income requirements and tax issues.

Specifically, some of the goals for a planned giving instrument may include: minimizing estate taxes; bypassing capital gains, taxes; receiving current tax deductions; structuring flexible funding provisions; and creating a trust that will pay life insurance policy premiums and allow insurance proceeds to be distributed with no gift or estate tax to family members. The options available to donors are vast. CTAI's knowledge of these various trusts and unitrusts allows us to tailor a planned giving vehicle, together with a donor's trusted personal advisor, to meet the desires and needs of donors.

Why Have Planned Giving?

Fiscal Responsibility.

Your donors and volunteers fully expect your organization to be healthy and enduring — and assume you are making sound financial decisions and laying an adequate foundation for the years to come. A vital, planned giving program addresses the need for future resources by showing donors how they can prudently commit estate gifts to your organization. CTAI can provide the resources necessary for your constituents to learn about will bequests, gift annuities, trust remainders and other tax-favored gift vehicles. A planned giving program ensures that the tools are in place for endowment funds to be established and enlarged.

Institutional Integrity.

Organizations focused solely on acquiring annual funds tend to reflect a cyclical character, often facing a
continual struggle to survive. A planned giving program lays a line into the future. It inspires vision and can give your
organization more momentum for long-term projects. Planned giving can lead to policy-making
and refined fiduciary skills.

Enhanced Partnerships.

Your organization exists because individuals believe in your cause and voluntarily commit their resources to help you succeed. They are partners with you in furthering your mission. The more you enhance these partnerships, the healthier your organization will be.

Service to Constituents.

If for no other reason, a planned giving program makes sense as a way to honor those who have demonstrated interest in your organization, especially those who have faithfully offered support over the years.

A well-developed planned giving program provides options for your supporters and encourages estate planning — a plus for any benefactor and his or her family members. The selection available to donors is considerable and, with the advice of a knowledgeable administrator, a solution can be created that corresponds with their goals and financial situation.

How CTAI Can Assist You in Establishing a Planned Giving Department

CTAI provides the following services to assist your organization in establishing and maintaining a planned giving department:

Staff Education

• Literature, articles and seminars to provide a basic understanding of living trusts, charitable trusts, and other gift planning vehicles
• Quarterly newsletters highlighting planned giving topics
• Information on changes in tax law in the area of charitable giving

Donor Education

• Guidance in creating customized brochures on charitable giving
• Information to assist your organization in creating newsletters for donors
• Guest speakers at donor seminars