Planned Giving

Are you among the nearly 70% of Americans who do not have a will? Writing a will is the best way to protect your loved ones and create a plan for your future.

A charitable bequest is one of the easiest ways you can leave a lasting impact on our organization. By including a bequest to Catholic Charities of Fairfield County in your will or living trust, you will make a profound difference in the lives of our communities most vulnerable individuals and their families for years to come.

This flexible gift option can be revised at any time, and can be made as a specific amount or a percentage of your estate. In addition, your gift entitles your estate to an unlimited federal estate tax charitable deduction.

For additional assets not covered in your will, including (but not limited to): 401ks, IRAs, Life Insurance Policies, and Bank Accounts, you must designate a beneficiary.

You can give any amount (up to a maximum of $100,000) per year from your IRA directly to a qualified charity such as Catholic Charities of Fairfield County without having to pay income taxes on the money. Gifts of any value $100,000 or less are eligible for this benefit and you can feel good knowing that you are making a great difference in the community. This popular gift option is commonly called the IRA charitable rollover – please ask your financial advisor for details.

With a charitable remainder trust, you can receive income each year (either fixed or variable) from assets you place in the trust. After your lifetime, the balance in the trust goes to the charities of your choice.

If you give stocks you’ve owned for more than one year that are worth more than when you purchased them, you’ll qualify for significant tax advantages.

A donor-advised fund (DAF), which is like a charitable savings account, gives you the flexibility to recommend how much and how often money is granted to Catholic Charities of Fairfield County and other qualified charities. You can recommend a grant or recurring grants now to make an immediate impact or use your fund as a tool for future charitable gifts.

There are several ways you can use life insurance to give back to Catholic Charities. We can help you explore your options.

If you’d like to support Catholic Charities of Fairfield County and receive steady payments for life, a charitable gift annuity may be right for you.

Not only does this gift provide you and up to two beneficiaries with annual income and allow us to further our work, but when you establish a CGA to benefit Catholic Charities and its programs, you can also qualify for a variety of tax benefits.

If you are younger than 60 or don’t need your payments immediately, you can set up a deferred gift annuity. This allows you to delay receiving payments until a later date—such as when you reach retirement.