Create a Legacy to Shape the Future

Thousands Look Heavenward to Say "Thank You" Elizabeth Bissell Northcross had no living relatives when she passed away in 1991, yet thousands in her community look heavenward to say “Thank you.” Mrs. Northcross, a lifelong Norwalk resident, left a gift in her will to her community. Over the past 19 years, the Elizabeth Bissell Northcross Fund has awarded close to $500,000 in grants to benefit those living in Norwalk and Westport. Thanks to her gift, Norwalk and Westport children attend after-school programs that make the hours between school and home safe, instructive, and enriching. Low-income elderly residents continue to live independently with help from visiting nurses, delivered meals, and reduced-cost yard maintenance. In addition, Mrs. Northcross’s gift has helped Norwalk and Westport nonprofits promote the arts, protect the environment, educate children, provide medical care, and help those in crisis. Thousands have benefited, as will tens of thousands more for years to come. Since the fund she established at the Foundation is a permanently endowed fund, she will give back to her community forever. Mrs. Northcross’s attorney, Edward Capasse, introduced her to the Foundation. After studying our work, she decided to establish an endowed fund with a bequest in her will. “Elizabeth would definitely be pleased with her decision,” Ed said. “I can imagine her telling me, ‘Ed, thank you. This was the best decision I could have made.’ She was a lovely lady.”

Which causes and charities do you want to support for decades to come? What would you like to preserve for future generations? What would you like to change?

With a planned gift to the Foundation, you can support local and national organizations, as well as the work of the Foundation in meeting pressing community needs.

Changes in the tax law will likely create new planning opportunities. We can work with you and your professional advisors to create a legacy that will meet your charitable and financial goals.

View a list of our current Legacy Society members.

Benefits of planned giving

A planned gift is a strategy for funding a gift using a variety of assets. Many people find that a planned gift enables them to accomplish more philanthropically than they had thought possible.

Some types of planned gifts allow you to receive income for life, then benefit charity after you’ve passed away.

Whatever your philanthropic goals are, a planned gift—a simple bequest, a charitable gift annuity or a more complex trust arrangement—can help you achieve them.

By including a bequest in your will and designating certain assets, such as a retirement account, you often can significantly reduce taxes that would be applied if that asset was left to your heirs.

By setting up a charitable remainder trust or charitable gift annuity during your lifetime, you are eligible for a current income tax deduction for the amount that will ultimately be received by the Foundation, and you and/or other designated beneficiaries enjoy income from the gift.

Eligible assets for planned giving

You can fund a gift using assets such as real estate, securities, retirement accounts, life insurance or other tangible property.

Planned giving options may include charitable remainder trusts or charitable gift annuities, which can offer a donor income during their lifetime and may reduce estate and/or income tax.

We encourage you to work with your professional advisors to determine the type of gift that is right for you.

In addition, talk with us. We’ll help make sure that your wishes are clearly understood in the present so they can be carefully carried out in the future.

The impacts of planned giving

A planned gift helps ensure the sustainability of nonprofits that are important to you.

You can include a specific provision in your will or trust so your charitable wishes will be carried out for generations.

Getting started

To learn more about your giving options and our Legacy Society, email Fiona Hodgson, Vice President of Development and Marketing, or call her at 203.750.3200.