Increasingly, donors are finding that planned giving is a desirable way to maximize their support of their charitable interests. Planned gifts:

• Allow the donor to make a sizeable gift to the institution as part of his or her estate planning; in most cases, but not all, they are part of a bequest.
• Usually provide tax advantages to the donor.
• May be set up to provide the donor with income during their lifetime, then benefit Ford’s Theatre at their death.

If you are in the process of preparing your estate and would like to make a bequest to Ford’s Theatre Society, your generosity and your desire to connect your legacy with the mission of Ford’s Theatre would be deeply appreciated. The following language is provided here as a sample of text that could be used in order to designate a bequest. Please contact Ford's Theatre at (202) 434-9545 with any questions.

Residual Bequest Language:
A residual bequest comes to us after your estate expenses and specific bequests are paid.

I give and devise to Ford’s Theatre Society, located in Washington, DC, all (or state a percentage) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific affiliate, fund or program).

Specific Bequest Language:
Naming Ford’s Theatre Society as a beneficiary of a specific amount from your estate is easy.

I give and devise to Ford’s Theatre Society, located in Washington, DC, the sum of $___________ to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific affiliate, fund or program).

Contingent Bequest Language:
Ford’s Theatre Society can be named as a contingent beneficiary in your will or personal trust if one or more of your specific bequests cannot be fulfilled.

If (insert name) is not living at the time of my demise, I give and devise to Ford’s Theatre Society, the sum of $ _______ (or all or a percentage of the residue of my estate) to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific affiliate, fund or program).

Ford’s Theatre Society does not intend for the above sample to be construed in any way as either legal or financial advice.  Ford’s Theatre Society strongly recommends that you consult your financial and/or tax advisor. For more information on planned giving, please contact Ford's Theatre at (202) 434-9545 with any questions.

Many companies will match individual gifts. To learn more click here.