Planned giving allows you to incorporate charitable intentions into your long-term financial planning. In addition to dramatically impacting the lives of children and families who depend on the Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities, a planned gift can offer you substantial tax savings, retirement income, and more convenient asset transfer to heirs. Whether we receive your gift now or later, you can benefit immediately – allowing you to support our efforts while meeting your personal financial goals. There are many ways to make a planned gift. As you consider the choices, we recommend that you speak with legal and financial advisors to explore the best means of realizing your goals. Your legacy will be used to support families through the annual operating fund or long-term endowment fund. If you have a more specific purpose in mind, please contact us at 612.767.2784 to ensure we can meet your wishes. Rest assured, your gift will help strengthen families facing a medical crisis now and for future generations. If you decide to include RMHTC in your financial plans, please inform us so we an appropriately recognize your generosity! You, your advisors, and family are welcome to call and come by for a tour of the House to see how your gift will be used. Naming a Beneficiary Naming the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest as a beneficiary is simple and has lasting effects. You can name us as a beneficiary of a retirement plan (IRA, 401(k), 403(b), etc.), insurance policy or financial account (bank, certificate of deposit, or brokerage account). After your lifetime, the asset will come to us without going through probate and your estate is entitled to a charitable deduction for the amount of the gift. Benefits   •  Personal Satisfaction – In completing your estate plan and providing for the people and charities that matter most to you   •  Easy to Give – Involves little effort or paperwork   •  Financial Advantage – Continue to enjoy and use your property or finances   •  Freedom and Flexibility – You can change your mind and your beneficiaries at any time   •  Tax Savings – Save on possible federal estate taxes   •  Leave a Legacy - Your gift will ensure that at one of the most difficult periods in a family's life, they will have a home-away-from-home to find shelter and community.   •  Local Community - Your gift will be used by persons who have been sent to the Twin Cities for the best medical treatment possible. Legal Designation Information To name us as a beneficiary of retirement plans, insurance policies, and bank, brokerage and other accounts, please use the following information to fill out your beneficiary form: Name: Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest Address: 818 Fulton St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 Tax identification number: 41-1313107 (in place of Social Security number) Relationship: Non-profit organization Legal language:  Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest, a nonprofit organization, organized and existing under the laws of the Minnesota, and with principal business address of 818 Fulton St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414. Recent Changes in IRA Law A new law has been implemented for 2006 & 2007 that allows people to roll funds from their IRA directly to a charitable organization without paying extra taxes. Make Your IRA More Charitable in 2007 - PDF Bequests One of the simplest and easiest ways to help is by designating Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest as a beneficiary in your will or revocable living trust (RLT). An outright bequest of cash or property can significantly reduce the tax paid by your estate. A will or RLT offers the assurance that your estate is handled according to your wishes; without a formal plan, the distribution of your assets is left to a statutory scheme that may not conform to your wishes. You can include Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest in your estate plan by adding a short codicil to your existing will or an amendment to your RLT. You may elect to contribute a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate. The following two sentences can be used or modified to address almost any bequest in a will: “ I give (__percent of my estate) or (the residue of my estate) or ($_____specific dollar amount) to Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest, a Minnesota nonprofit corporation, located at 818 Fulton Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55414, for its general use and purposes.” A similar provision in your RLT can be added by substituting the words, “My Trustee shall distribute,” for the words, “I give.” If you would like your bequest to fund a specific program, please contact us at 612.67.2784 to ensure we can meet your wishes. Stocks Gifts of appreciated securities held longer than one year are exempt from capital gains taxes and entitle the donor to a tax deduction equal to the market value of the securities at the time of transfer. Often, appreciated stock is used to fund an outright gift, a gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust. The annuity or trust payment is often higher than low-yielding stock dividends and may increase the donor’s annual income as well. Charitable Gift Annuities A gift annuity is another simple way to support Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest. In addition to providing an immediate tax deduction, annuities offer a fixed payment for the life of one or two individuals. Payments are based on the age of the income beneficiaries at the time of the gift (the older the recipient, the larger the payout rate). A portion of the annual income may also be tax free. If appreciated securities are used to fund the annuity, capital gains taxes can be avoided. A charitable gift annuity can be established with a gift of at least $10,000, funded either with cash or appreciated securities. Common Questions about Charitable Gift Annuities Q. Why is a Charitable Gift Annuity different from other investments? A. It is a legal contract, which states that it will pay the donor or CGA beneficiary a guaranteed fixed amount of income each year for life. The donor also has the option to name a second life income beneficiary who would begin receiving the fixed income upon the death of the primary beneficiary. Q. How does this benefit RMHC-UM? A. Any remaining funds will be placed in endowment for RMHC-UM at the beneficiary’s death. Q. Is the rate of return higher for an older person? A. Yes, it is greater for older donors as their life expectancy declines. Rates are based on actuarial tables and the recommendations of the American Council on Gift Annuities. Q. What are tax benefits of a Gift Annuity? A. The Donor receives an immediate charitable tax deduction on a portion of the gift. Part of the annual income is also tax-free until the donor’s investment is recovered. Q. Is it possible to make the gift now and delay the payments until later? A. Yes, that is called a Deferred Gift Annuity. By delaying income payments, the donor may enjoy an immediate tax deduction and a higher rate of return when the payments begin. Q. What is the minimum amount of cash or appreciated securities required? A. The minimum value required is $10,000 or more for RMHC-UM and the Minnesota Community Foundation to facilitate a Charitable Gift Annuity. Q. Can I change my mind after establishing a Gift Annuity? A. No, your gift is an irrevocable transfer, which is why we recommend you consult your estate planning advisor or legal counselor. Heart of Gold Club Leave a lasting legacy and join the Heart of Gold Club. Simply indicate your intention to leave a gift to the House through a will, estate plan, or by establishing a named fund. In recognition of your future contribution, your name will be placed on a tile on our donor wall and you will be listed in our newsletter. You may also give your gift anonymously, should you so desire. If you have made a provision for a gift to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest, please let us know by calling Donna Moores at 612-767-2784. Heart of Gold Letter of Intent Form - PDF Current Heart of Gold Members - PDF For more information about planned giving opportunities, please contact Donna Moores, Director of Endowment & Planned Giving at 612.767.2784.