Photo by Rebekah Lemk/CRS
Gifts in a will or by beneficiary designation are two easy ways to ease suffering and provide vital aid for years to come—and they don’t cost anything now.
Gifts in a Will
Making a legacy gift in your will or trust is one of the easiest and most popular ways to make a lasting impact for Catholic Relief Services. Once you have provided for your loved ones, we hope you will consider making our lifesaving work part of your life story through a legacy gift.
A gift in your will is one of the easiest ways to create your legacy and offers the following benefits:
- Lasting Impact: Your gift will create your legacy of bringing relief, help and hope to the most vulnerable.
- Flexible: You can alter your gift or change your mind at any time and for any reason.
- No Cost: It costs you nothing now to give in this way.
Four easy ways to leave a gift in your will
Residuary gift
A residuary gift is a gift of all or a percentage of the remainder of your estate after specific bequests and expenses have been paid.
General gift
A general bequest is a gift of a specific amount.
Specific gift
A specific gift is a gift of a particular piece of property. For example, real estate, funds in a bank account or shares of a corporation.
Contact us before gifting specific gifts to CRS to confirm we can honor your intentions.
Contingent gift
A contingent gift takes effect only if the primary beneficiary or beneficiaries do not live longer than you. In other words, your gift is contingent upon whether or not they survive after you.
Gifts by Beneficiary Designation
It’s easy to put your retirement accounts, life insurance, bank accounts, savings bonds and donor-advised funds to use in solidarity with people most in need around the world—and it costs you nothing now. By naming Catholic Relief Services as a beneficiary of these assets, you can power our mission for years to come and establish your personal legacy of living your faith and easing suffering.
Potential benefits of gifts by beneficiary designation:
- Reduce or eliminate taxes.
- Reduce or avoid probate fees.
- No cost to you now to give.
- Create your legacy with Catholic Relief Services.
- No attorney fees.
Types of Gifts
Retirement plan assets
You can simply name Catholic Relief Services (Tax ID: 13-5563422) as a beneficiary of your retirement plan to provide vital aid and save lives.
Life insurance policies
You can name Catholic Relief Services (Tax ID: 13-5563422) as a beneficiary of all or a portion of your life insurance policy. With this gift arrangement, Catholic Relief Services will receive the proceeds of your policy after your lifetime. This may reduce your estate taxes. And you can change your beneficiary at any time.
Bank or brokerage accounts
This is one of the easiest gifts to give and one of the most useful in accomplishing your philanthropic goals. The next time you visit your bank, you can name Catholic Relief Services (Tax ID: 13-5563422) as the beneficiary of a checking or savings bank account, a certificate of deposit or a brokerage account. When you do, you’ll take a powerful step toward preserving the sacredness and dignity of human life for generations to come.
Funds remaining in your donor-advised fund
What remains in a donor-advised fund is governed by the contract you completed when you created your fund. When you name Catholic Relief Services (Tax ID: 13-5563422) as a successor of your account or a portion of your account value, you enable us to provide assistance to people in need all over the world.
How to update a beneficiary designation:
Simply contact your bank, retirement plan administrator, insurance company or other financial institution to request a beneficiary designation form. You may also be able to log in to your account and update your beneficiaries online.
Please use our legal name: Catholic Relief Services – United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Include our tax identification number: 13-5563422
Please let us know so we can ensure that your wishes are carried out.
Share Your Legacy
If you have already included a gift in your estate plans to benefit the future of Catholic Relief Services, be sure to let us know so we can thank you, and confirm we can honor your wishes.
Our Team is Here to Help
Our experienced team is here to help you …
- Create a legacy with a global impact.
- Structure a donation that maximizes benefits for you and your loved ones.
- Stay up to date on how your gift is used.
- And more!
Photo Credits: Rebekah Lemk/CRS, Fatoumata Diallo/CRS