As vowed religious women, the heart of our mission and ministry is God’s call to respond to the needs of the time through prayer and loving service. We have dedicated our lives, inspired by our foundress, Nano Nagle, to work for justice, alleviate oppression and promote human dignity. The efforts of many coming together make it possible to do what none of us could do alone.

We invite you to continue this journey with us in whatever capacity works best for you. If you are interested in learning more about ways to leave your legacy, we would be happy to discuss options with you. Leaving a lasting legacy, of any amount, can be simple and will contribute to our continued mission, a mission shared by our partners, for years to come.

For information on Planned Giving options, please contact:

Many partners express their desire to want to do more, but it is not always feasible in the current year. That is what makes Estate Planning such a viable option. Estate planning is important for every individual, regardless of the size of his/her estate. It provides everyone with the opportunity to determine who will receive the property he/she owns and in what amounts or proportions. Without an estate plan, these decisions will be made by someone who is unaware of the person’s values or the causes that he/she cherished. Leaving a lasting legacy through an estate gift can be very simple and a gift of any amount will contribute to our continued mission for years to come.

Most methods of estate planning have tax deductions and/or tax credits for the donor. Consult your investment/estate planner or lawyer as you consider the best option for you. As with any estate planning decision, consult your legal, financial and tax advisors for advice and information on applicable state and federal laws.

Wills/Bequests

Wills/bequests are among the simplest and most popular planned gift vehicles for supporting the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The will simply lists the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a beneficiary of the assets. You retain maximum flexibility and use of your assets during your lifetime. Bequests are generally deductible for estate and gift tax purposes. 

A will/bequest can take any of the following forms:

  • specific bequest of a percentage or an exact dollar amount of the assets, or of particular designated securities or other property;
  • residuary bequest of all or a percentage or portion of your estate, after the payments of specific amounts to other beneficiaries have been made;

Often a bequest can be arranged simply with the addition of a codicil to amend your existing will. The wording of the bequest can be very simple:

I give the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, ______ percent of the residue of my estate, to be used by the Sisters wherever the needs are greatest.

Gifts of Stock

An appreciated stock gift is almost always more beneficial to the donor than contributing cash to a charity. This is because a gift of appreciated stock generally offers a twofold tax savings:

  • First, you avoid paying any capital gains tax on the increase in value of the stock
  • Second, you receive an income tax charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the stock at the time of the gift
  • Please consult your CPA or investment advisor to learn more about this financial option

To transfer stocks held with a broker or certificates held by you:

  • Call the Presentation Sisters to notify us of your gift, kind of stock, the number of shares and how you wish it to be used. You will be given the name and phone number of the broker working with the Sisters

Life Insurance Policies

Perhaps you would like to make a sizable contribution to the Sisters to support their ministries in the future but you do not want to reduce the estate you will pass onto your family. The solution is to purchase a life insurance policy. Life insurance policies can be an easy method of supporting the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It provides an opportunity to make a lasting gift without a large investment.

A life insurance policy may be purchased designating the Presentation Sisters as a beneficiary. If an existing life insurance policy is no longer needed for the original intent for which it was purchased, the beneficiary can be changed to the Presentation Sisters. Giving insurance policies often creates current income tax benefits as an income tax deduction for, roughly, the cash surrender value of the policy. If the policy is not fully funded, you may continue to pay the premiums and receive a tax deduction for the annual premium amount. To qualify for a federal tax deduction, one must name the Presentation Sisters as owner and beneficiary of the policy, which can readily be accomplished through your insurance company.

Gifts of Property/Real Estate

A gift of property, free of mortgage, alleviates capital gains tax and gives the donor an income tax deduction on the fair market value of the gift. Donors may be allowed to remove the asset from their taxable estate and give the property to charity while still living on the property.

Estate Agreement: With this agreement, a donor transfers the title to a residence or farm to the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary while retaining the right to live there and use the property for life. The donor may be entitled to a current tax deduction equal to the value of the remainder interest.

Charitable Gift Annuity

A charitable gift annuity is a contract with the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which provides a lifelong guaranteed payout to the donor. At a time when interest rates are low, an annuity can provide a reliable source of annual income at a rate higher than the current interest rate. The income payments can supplement other income sources, such as Social Security and pension benefits, which may not provide enough income by themselves. In addition to the immediate tax deduction for a portion of the gift, some of the income is also tax-free.

The rate on the annuity is based on the donor’s age (generally, the older the annuitant, the higher the level of income), whether it is a single or two-life donor, and whether it is immediate or deferred. Once the payments begin, be they semi-annually or annually, they are set at that amount for the life of the donor(s).

An example: A $10,000 charitable gift annuity in July 2004 for a single donor age 60,
would have an annuity income to the donor at an estimated 5.7% rate.

The minimum initial contribution for a gift annuity shall be $ 10,000, unless a lesser amount is approved by the congregation president. The minimum contribution for an additional gift annuity by an individual who has previously entered into a gift annuity shall be $ 5,000.

Here is how it works:

  • The benefactor makes an irrevocable gift to the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • In consideration of the gift, the Sisters agree to establish an annuity for the benefactor at a set payout for the rest of his/her or their lives based on their age
  • The benefactor receives an immediate tax deduction for making the gift
  • A portion of the annual annuity to the benefactor is tax-free income
  • At the time of the benefactor’s death, the remainder of the original gift belongs to the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to further its mission

A deferred charitable gift annuity is similar to a charitable gift annuity except that the payments are deferred to a future date. A donor may defer payments to years when income is needed more, such as retirement. The donor obtains a substantial charitable income tax deduction in the year that the gift is made. Because payments are deferred, allowing the principal to grow, the donor enjoys a higher payout rate later.

Charitable Trust

Donors, with the help of their financial advisor, may choose a charitable trust as a way of making gifts to the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary while providing for potentially significant tax benefits. There are a variety of Trust vehicles to satisfy a particular benefactor’s interest. A Trust can increase income, reduce taxes, unlock appreciated investments and rid the donor of investment concerns and obligations while making a significant gift to the Presentation Sisters.

The minimum amount required to establish a Charitable Remainder Trust is $ 50,000. A trust may be established for less with the congregation president’s approval. Typically, this will be done only in cases where additional contributions to the trust are expected in the future.

Three specific Charitable Trusts are:

  • Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT): A Charitable Remainder Trust is an irrevocable Trust that pays a fixed income, for life or a specified period of time, based on the value of assets at the time the Trust is created. Depending on the terms of the Trust agreement, the Trust will then make payments to the donor and/or family or friends named by the donor. When the Trust terminates, either at the end of the beneficiaries’ lifetimes or a period of years, the Trust’s remaining principal will be transferred to the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary for use. This planned gift has some generous tax advantages, including avoiding or postponing capital gains tax on appreciated property, and possible lower estate taxes.
  • Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT): The Charitable Reminder Unitrust provides a fluctuating income based on a fixed percentage of the Trust’s annual value. Tax advantages include avoiding or postponing capital gains tax and possible lower estate taxes.
  • Charitable Lead Trust: If your goal is to provide an inheritance for your children but you would also like to make a significant charitable gift through your estate to the Presentation Sisters ministries, a Charitable Lead Trust can help you satisfy both objectives. A Charitable Lead Trust can lessen the estate tax burden for your children.

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)

Donors may wish to make a gift of some of their retirement assets to the Presentation Sisters. Naming the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a beneficiary of your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or other retirement plan assets can be an ideal way of making a future gift to the sisters for the purposes of carrying on their ministries. Doing so can also provide double tax benefits by avoiding estate tax and income tax that would otherwise be due if the assets were left to your heirs.

As with any estate planning decision, consult your legal, financial and tax advisors for advice and information on applicable state and federal laws.