1. Designating United Way in Your Will (Making a Bequest)

This is the gift that most people make. You can designate a specific amount, a percentage or set up a contingency arrangement. You can modify an existing will to include United Way by adding a codicil or amendment. If you do not have a will, United Way has a free service called FreeWill that allows you to create a legal will online.

2. Making United Way the Beneficiary of a Life Insurance Policy

Existing or New With a modest out-of- pocket cost, you can create a substantial gift that will make an impact in our community forever. To do this, contact your insurance company and complete a change of beneficiary designation form to name the United Way Foundation of Abilene as a policy beneficiary. You may also consider the United Way Life™ program.

3. Outright Gift of Cash or Appreciated Stock

You contribute cash or transfer stock to the United Way Foundation of Abilene. You receive an income tax deduction, and for stock gifts, you avoid capital gains tax.

4. Designating United Way as a Beneficiary of a Retirement Account

You would work with your retirement account administrator to designate United Way as a beneficiary of all or a portion of one or more retirement accounts. You would receive an income tax deduction. Further, donating a retirement account would benefit the entire community through United Way. If the retirement account passed to heirs, it would be taxable to them.

5. Creating a “Split Gift” such as a Charitable Gift Annuity, Charitable Remainder Trust or Charitable Lead Trust

These are structured gifts that can provide income to you and also benefit United Way.