By: Ginny Harding-Davis, VP of Philanthropy & Business Development
At Feeding Pets of the Homeless, legacy donors have helped us maintain a high level of assistance and service to those experiencing homelessness and their companions. Since 2008, these generous donors have provided nearly $1,635,000 in assistance, ensuring that pets in need received necessary food, veterinary care, and emergency support. Their legacy gifts continue to make a profound difference, helping us sustain our high level of service! You, too, can be part of this lasting impact.
Create a Lasting Legacy
Have you ever thought about the impact you could have beyond your lifetime? Including a charitable gift in your estate plan is a powerful way to leave a legacy that reflects your values while providing financial benefits for you and your loved ones. Insert Link to FPOTH Legacy Giving
Why Consider Legacy Giving?
A planned gift allows you to continue supporting the causes you care about—whether it’s providing food and veterinary care for pets of the homeless, funding education, or supporting community initiatives—long after you’re gone. But legacy giving isn’t just for large estates; anyone can make a meaningful difference with thoughtful planning. Anyone who owns a home or other assets including a retirement portfolio, life insurance, other real property and personal provisions has an estate that should be protected.
Personal and Financial Benefits
- Fulfill Your Values – Ensure your favorite charity continues its mission, creating a lasting impact aligned with your passions.
- Potential Tax Savings – Certain planned gifts, like charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) or gifts of appreciated assets, may reduce estate and capital gains taxes.
- Flexibility and Control – Options such as bequests, beneficiary designations, and charitable annuities allow you to retain control of your assets during your lifetime while securing future support for your chosen causes.
- Provide for Loved Ones– Some legacy gifts, like charitable remainder trusts, can provide income to you or your family before benefiting your charity of choice.
Simple Ways to Give
- Bequests – Name a charity in your will or trust.
- Life Insurance or Retirement Accounts – Designate a nonprofit as a beneficiary.
- Charitable Gift Annuities – Receive lifetime income while supporting a cause.
- Real Estate or Appreciated Securities – Maximize tax advantages while giving back.
A Personal Story of Legacy Giving
About 10 years ago, my family and I created a Legacy Fund as part of our estate plan through our local Community Foundation. We agreed that we would designate a certain percentage to charity and held fun meetings to discuss the causes that mattered most to us. Of course, Feeding Pets of the Homeless stood out as an organization we wanted to support, and it became a key part of our plan to establish a legacy of multigenerational giving. Knowing that our future gift will continue to help vulnerable pets and their owners brings us joy and peace of mind.
Make a Difference Today
Legacy giving is not just about financial planning—it’s about making a lasting impact on the people, causes, and communities you care about. If you’re passionate about helping pets of the homeless or any other cause close to your heart, consider including them in your estate plan. You’ll feel “paws-itively” amazing! If you have any questions or would like to discuss estate planning further, I’d love to hear from you at ghdavis@petsofthehomeless.org/760-908-8202 or to learn more about leaving a legacy of compassion, contact us today. Insert Link to Estate
Your future gift can enhance and change lives.
